Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple, Sikar, Rajasthan
हारे का सहारा, खाटू श्याम हमारा
Darshan timings, five daily aartis, the story of Barbarika and Falgun Mela guide.
Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple in the quiet village of Khatu, Sikar district of Rajasthan, is one of the fastest-growing pilgrimages in North India. Baba Shyam - whose full name is Sheesh Ke Daani Khatu Shyam - is Barbarika, the grandson of Bhima from the Mahabharata. He offered his head to Lord Krishna before the Kurukshetra war, and in return Lord Krishna gave him the greatest boon: "You will be worshipped in the Kali Yuga by my own name - Shyam." This guide gives you darshan timings, aarti details, the story from scripture, and how to plan your yatra.
Quick facts: Summer timings: 4:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Winter timings: 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. General darshan free. Official updates at shrishyammandir.com. Temple address: Shri Shyam Mandir Committee, Khatu Dham, Khatu, Sikar - 332602, Rajasthan.
At a Glance
श्री खाटू श्याम जी मंदिर, खाटू, सीकर
Everything you need before you visit
| Temple | Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Mandir, Khatu |
| Deity | Shri Khatu Shyam Ji (Barbarika) - worshipped as a form of Lord Krishna |
| Location | Khatu village, Sikar district, Rajasthan - 332 602 |
| Summer Darshan | 4:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM (from Falgun Shukla Ekadashi, around March, to Kartik) |
| Winter Darshan | 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (from Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, around November, to Falgun) |
| Mangal Aarti | Summer: 4:30 AM | Winter: 5:30 AM |
| Shringar Aarti | Summer ~7:00 AM | Winter ~8:00 AM |
| Bhog Aarti | ~12:30 PM (before midday break) |
| Sandhya Aarti | Summer ~7:30 PM | Winter ~7:00 PM |
| Shayan Aarti | Summer ~10:00 PM | Winter ~9:00 PM (temple closes after this) |
| Darshan Fee | Free for all. Check shrishyammandir.com for any darshan registration rules before you travel |
| Falgun Mela | Annually in February-March (Falgun Shukla Ekadashi and Dwadashi) |
| Distance from Jaipur | About 80 km (approx 1.5 to 2 hours by road) |
| Temple Helpline | 01576-231482 | 01576-231182 |
| Official Website | shrishyammandir.com (Shri Shyam Mandir Committee) |
Official Temple Information
The Divine Names of Shyam Baba
बाबा श्याम के नाम
Each name tells a chapter of his sacred story
| Khatu Shyam | He who is worshipped as Shyam in the village of Khatu. Lord Krishna gave Barbarika his own name (Shyam) as the greatest boon. |
| Sheesh Ke Daani | "Donor of Head" - he who gave his own head to Lord Krishna as the supreme sacrifice before the Kurukshetra war. |
| Teen Baan Dhari | "Bearer of Three Arrows" - the three infallible arrows received as a boon from Lord Shiva. Three arrows that could destroy the entire universe. |
| Haare Ka Sahara | "Support of the defeated" - Barbarika vowed on his mother's advice to always support whoever is losing, whoever has less power. This is why the defeated and the troubled come to Shyam Baba first. |
| Lakha Datari | "Giver of lakh wishes" - Baba Shyam is known for fulfilling the wishes of his devoted bhakts. The temple's history is filled with such stories. |
The Sacred Story of Khatu Shyam Ji
बाबा श्याम की कथा
From the Skanda Purana (Kaumarika Khanda) - the story of Barbarika, the greatest warrior of the Mahabharata age
The story of Barbarika is found in the Kaumarika Khanda of the Skanda Purana (Maheshvara Khanda). He is not named in the Mahabharata of Sage Vyasa, but the Skanda Purana preserves his story, and the folk tradition of Khatu in Rajasthan adds further details.
His birth and divine weapons: Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha (Bhima's son) and Maurvi. He was born with extraordinary strength. Through intense tapasya (penance), he pleased Lord Shiva, who gave him three infallible arrows - the Teen Baan. These three arrows were said to have the power to destroy the entire universe in a single moment. Lord Agni (the fire god) then gave him a bow that would make him victorious in all three worlds. He rode to Kurukshetra on his blue horse named Leela.
The vow that changed everything: Barbarika's mother told him: "Always support whoever is weaker and losing in battle." He gave her his word. When he arrived at the Kurukshetra battlefield and Krishna (in disguise as a Brahmin) asked him which side he would fight for, Barbarika said he would join whichever side was losing. Krishna immediately understood: if Barbarika joined the weaker side, the stronger side would start losing, and then Barbarika would switch - and this would go on endlessly until only Barbarika was left standing. No war could take place.
Krishna's test - the peepal tree: Krishna asked Barbarika to mark all the leaves of the peepal tree with his first arrow. Barbarika shot the arrow. It marked every single leaf - including one that Krishna was hiding under his foot. The arrow circled Krishna's foot, waiting. Krishna lifted his foot. The leaf was marked. This was the Teen Baan - it could find and mark every target in creation.
The supreme sacrifice: Krishna revealed himself as Lord Vishnu and asked Barbarika for the greatest dakshina (gift) - his head. Barbarika, recognising the divine, agreed at once. He made one request: to be able to watch the entire Kurukshetra war from the hilltop with his severed head. Krishna agreed, and placed Barbarika's head on the hilltop of Kurukshetra. Barbarika's head watched the entire 18-day war.
श्याम तेरी लीला न्यारी, तू है भक्तों का रखवाला। Haare ka sahara, Khatu Shyam hamara. Shyam teri leela nyari, tu hai bhakton ka rakhwala. He is the support of the defeated - Khatu Shyam is ours. Shyam, your divine play is unique - you are the protector of your devotees. Popular verse sung by devotees of Shyam Baba - captures the essence of why the troubled and the struggling come to Khatu first. Baba Shyam is the one who stands by those who have no one else.
Krishna's boon for Kali Yuga: After the war, Lord Krishna declared: "Barbarika, you were the greatest warrior here. You gave the most supreme sacrifice - your own head - without hesitation and without asking anything in return. In the Kali Yuga, you will be worshipped by my own name. You will be called Shyam. Whoever calls upon you from the heart will be blessed with prosperity and happiness." This is why Khatu Shyam Ji is worshipped as a form of Lord Krishna himself.
How the temple came to be: According to the local tradition of Khatu, Barbarika's head was buried at Khatu after the war. Centuries later, a cow began to pour milk on its own at one spot. When the ground was dug, the Sheesh (head) of Barbarika was found. King Roop Singh Chauhan of Khatu, guided by a divine dream, built a temple and installed the Sheesh in 1027 CE. The spot where it was found is the sacred Shyam Kund. The present temple is built of white Makrana marble.
Darshan Timings and Aarti Schedule
दर्शन समय और आरती
Temple open twice daily. Five daily aartis. Ekadashi is the most auspicious day.
Source: Shri Shyam Mandir Committee, Khatu (helpline 01576-231482, 01576-231182) and shrishyammandir.com. Timings change seasonally and extend significantly during Falgun Mela and Ekadashi.
| Time (Summer) | Crowd | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 4:30 AM - 7:00 AM | Low | Most peaceful. Mangal Aarti at 4:30 AM is the most divine time. Best for senior citizens. |
| 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Medium | Comfortable morning visit. Shringar Aarti at ~7:00 AM - the Lord is beautifully decorated. |
| 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM | High | Peak morning. Bhog Aarti at ~12:30 PM. Very crowded on Ekadashi and Falgun Mela. |
| 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Closed | Temple closed for midday break. Bhog preparation and rest. |
| 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Medium | Good evening slot. Temple freshly re-opened. Cooler in winter. |
| 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Medium | Sandhya Aarti at ~7:30 PM. Shayan Aarti at ~10:00 PM. Temple closes after Shayan Aarti. |
| Aarti | Time | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mangal Aarti | 4:30 AM (summer) 5:30 AM (winter) | First aarti. Waking of Baba Shyam. Most auspicious. Temple opens at this time. |
| Shringar Aarti | Summer ~7:00 AM Winter ~8:00 AM | After the Lord is bathed and decorated with flowers and ornaments. Beautiful to witness. |
| Bhog Aarti | ~12:30 PM | Chappan Bhog (56 food items) is offered to Baba Shyam. On Dwadashi: Kheer and Churma are the special bhog. |
| Sandhya Aarti | Summer ~7:30 PM Winter ~7:00 PM | Evening aarti. Temple lit with lamps. Deeply moving experience. |
| Shayan Aarti | Summer ~10:00 PM Winter ~9:00 PM | Final aarti. Baba Shyam is put to sleep for the night. Temple closes after this. |
Ekadashi - the most important day: Every Ekadashi (11th day of both Shukla and Krishna paksha) is specially auspicious at Khatu Shyam. Crowds are much larger. Kartik Shukla Ekadashi is Shyam Baba's birthday. Falgun Shukla Ekadashi is the peak day of the Falgun Mela. On Ekadashi, arrive before 5 AM to avoid the queue. The Shyam Kund snan (holy bath) before darshan on Ekadashi is considered especially powerful. Note: on the main Ekadashis the temple often stays open through the night - confirm with the temple committee before you travel.
Darshan Registration and Official Updates
- General darshan is free for all devotees.
- During busy periods the temple committee may ask devotees to register for a darshan slot. Check the official website shrishyammandir.com before you travel.
- For puja and other services, call the temple committee: 01576-231182 or 01576-231482.
- Beware of websites and agents selling paid "VIP darshan" - use only official channels.
Live Darshan Online
घर बैठे दर्शन
Watch the aartis of Baba Shyam live from home
The temple has its own YouTube channel, Shri Shyam Darshan (@ShriShyamDarshan), which streams the Prabhat Shringar Aarti and Sandhya Aarti of Baba Shyam live every day. Below is the latest live aarti from the channel. For today's live aarti, use the Watch Live Aarti button below.
If the video above does not load, use the buttons below to open the Shri Shyam Darshan channel on YouTube.
Facilities at the Temple
सुविधाएं
For senior citizens, families and all devotees visiting Khatu Dham
- Go between 4:30 AM and 7:00 AM for lightest crowd
- Avoid Ekadashi and Falgun Mela for first visit
- Wheelchair assistance available at temple gate
- Shaded waiting area near the entrance
- Shyam Kund: steps into the pond - use handrails
- Sacred pond near the temple
- Bath before darshan is traditional and auspicious
- Changing rooms at the kund
- Especially powerful on Ekadashi and Falgun Mela
- Dress modestly after the bath before entering temple
- Free darshan for all - no tickets required for regular entry
- Locker rooms for shoes and bags at main entrance
- Clean washrooms near the temple and Shyam Kund
- Prasad distribution after darshan
- Photography permitted in outer areas only
- Barefoot walking tradition from Ringas (Reengus), about 17 km
- Saffron Nishan (flag) carried as vow
- Rest camps along the route during Falgun Mela
- Free water and food provided by community trusts
- Medical aid camps on the route during Mela
Chappan Bhog - the 56-item offering: Every day, 56 food items (Chappan Bhog) are offered to Baba Shyam. On Dwadashi (12th day of the lunar fortnight), the special bhog of Kheer (rice pudding) and Churma (sweet wheat preparation) is offered - this is considered the most auspicious prasad to receive. Come on Dwadashi morning for this prasad.
Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple - Complete Guide
- Page 1 (this page): Story of Barbarika, At a Glance, Darshan Timings, Five Aartis, Live Darshan
- Page 2: How to Reach, Falgun Mela, Nishan Yatra, Hotels, Crowd Tips, FAQ
More from Dekho Dham:
Jai Shri Shyam. Haare Ka Sahara, Khatu Shyam Hamara.