North India · Rajasthan
Khatu Shyam, Rajasthan
Sources: wikimedia
Before you go
One of Rajasthan's fastest-growing pilgrimages; the Phalguna Mela (Feb-Mar) and Ekadashi days see very long queues.
About Khatu Shyam
- Inland
Where it is
Khatu is a village in Sikar district of Rajasthan, in the semi-arid Shekhawati region north-west of Jaipur, and home to the Khatu Shyam Ji temple.
History
Khatu Shyam is worshipped as Barbarika, grandson of Bhima in the Mahabharata, who in legend gave his head to Krishna before the Kurukshetra war and was blessed to be worshipped as Shyam. Tradition holds that the head was found buried at Khatu, where a Chauhan ruler is said to have built the first temple in the 11th century; the present shrine draws pilgrims from across northern India.
People
Khatu's people speak Shekhawati, a dialect of Rajasthani, alongside Hindi, and the village lives from farming and the pilgrim trade. Devotees walk from Ringas carrying flags called nishan and sing bhajans to Shyam Baba.
Known for
- The Khatu Shyam Ji temple
- The Phalguna fair
- The Nishan Yatra walk from Ringas
- Shyam Kund
Did you know?
Devotees call Khatu Shyam Haare ka Sahara, the support of the defeated, recalling Barbarika's vow to fight for whichever side was losing.
Shrines and sites
- Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple
- Shyam Kund
- Salasar Balaji
Traditions
- Hindu
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.