Shyam Baba Temple, Khatu, Sikar, Rajasthan, India.

Location

Khatu Naresh Shyam Baba Temple is located in Khatu (a small city), district Sikar in Rajasthan. This temple is dedicated to Shyam Baba, basically, a manifestation of Barbarik, a character in the story of Mahabharat. He was the son of Ghatotkach and grand son of Bhim (one of the Pandavas).

Only the idol of severed head of Barbarik is worshiped inside the temple in the form of Shyam Baba.

Idol of Khatu Shyam

Temple 

The Idol is sculpted from the rare Makrana marble piece. The main devotees of Shyam Baba are the people belonging to Haryana, Rajasthan and Agrawal community (Marwaris) of Rajasthan. Although the devotees from all over the country and abroad come here to worship Baba Shyam.

After donating his head for a good cause, Lord Krishna blessed him that in kaliyuga you will be worshipped like me.

Story behind the Temple

After many years of Kaliyuga started, some villagers of Khatu saw an amazing incident. A cow come at a particular place and starts flowing milk spontaneously from its udder. The people who witnessed this incident started digging the place and found a buried HEAD. The villagers handover the Head to a Brhmin who kept it and started to worship the head.

In the mean time, one day the King of Khatu Roop Singh Chauhan had a dream and inspired to build a temple. The idol of head was installed in it. The day was the 11 th day of Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the Hindi month Phalgun. This temple was constructed in 1027 AD. After that in 1720 AD this temple was renovated by the behest of the King of Marwar.

The story of finding the buried head relates this incident to Mahabharat period. At the end of Mahabharata the head of Barbarika drowned in a river, named Rupwati by Lord Krishna Himself giving him, a lots of blessings. This was the head found in village Khatu.

There is also another legend slightly different from it. The wife of King Roop Singh Chouhan had a dream and inspired to dug the place indicated in the dream. The king found a buried head from this Place. Due to digging the place became deep like a reservoir and is now known as Shyam Kund. The devotees visiting the temple take holy dip in this KUND.

Shyam Kund

Ancient story behind the Temple

Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkach and the grandson of Bhim. Barbarika wanted to see this adventurous battle of Mahabharata. Now, Barbarik started his journey to Kurukshetra on his blue coloured horse. 

Before starting his journey, he assured his mother that, he will help the defeating party in the battle.The weapons with him was only his bow with three arrows. 

Lord krishna was knowing that Barbarika is a so brave that he alone is sufficient to change the complete scenario of Mahabharata war.

Lord Krishna than in guise of a Brahmin, appeared before Barbarika and raised a doubt that simply with these three arrows, how you are thinking to fight in this Mahayudh (great war). Then Barbarika told Lord Krishna, that only one arrow is sufficient, to kill all the enemies in the war. 

Surprisingly Lord Krishna told Barbarika that we are standing below this peepal tree, now show me how with one arrow you can destroy all the leaves of this tree. 

Then, Barbarika released one arrow from his bow plating, whispering some Mantras. The arrow after piercing all the the leaves touched the spot near the toe of Lord Krishna. Now, Barbarika thought that the things are not so as it appears. He now requested the Brahmin to show his real identity.

Lord Krishna then appeared before him in His Devine form.

Barbarika now prayed Lord Krishna in many ways. Lord Krishna then sought charity from Barbarika. Barbarika promised to fulfil his wish. Lord Krishna asked him to donate his own Head. Donation of your Head will be a charity for a good cause.

This happened on 12 th day of bright half (SHUKLA PAKSHA) of Hindi month Phalgun on Tuesday.

Request of Barbarika

Before decapitating himself, Barbarika told Lord Krishna of his great desire to view the forthcoming battle and requested him to facilitate the same. Lord Krishna agreed with his proposal and placed the head on top of a hill from where he could be able to see the entire battle.


Judgement by Barbarika

At the end of the battle, the victorious Pandavas brothers discussed among themselves as to who was responsible for their victory. Krishna suggested to ask this question from Barbarika who was the real watchman of the whole war. Barbarika's head suggested that it was Krishna alone, who was responsible for the victory. His advice, His presence and his game plan had been very crucial.

Other names of Shyam Baba

1. Sheesh ke Dani – means the donor of the head. (that is why only head is worshiped).

2. Hare ka sahara – means support of the defeated.

3. Teen banh dhari – means bearer of three arrows.

4. Khatu Naresh – means King of Khatu.

5. Kaliyuga ke Awatar – God in Kaliyuga, as blessed by Lord Krishna.

Festivals

Phagun Mela 

This is the main festival celebrated on 12 th day of bright half (shukla paksha) of Hindi month Phagun, generally in march every year. The devotees from all over the country in large numbers come here and enjoy the festival.

According to District Administration 5 to 10 millions devotees visit the temple on this occasion. Unofficially the gathering is more than that.The devotees have to wait for hours in a long serpentine queue to get a glance of their Deity. All Dharamshalas and guest houses of temple trust and town remains full packed during this fair.

District Administration takes care of law and order and deploy extra manpower to control this huge gathering.

Famous singers from all over the country come here and perform Bhajan and Kirtans through out night. The devotees take a dip in such a religious and joyful environment.

Shyam Kund

The place where the Head of Baba Shyam was retrieved is now a pond, named as Shyam Kund. The devotees take holy bath in it, with this believe that all the physical, mental and spiritual problems will be removed from his life.

Nissan Yatra 

Ringus is also believed to be a religious place because the body of Baba Shyam is here. It is located at a distance of 17 km from the temple. Devotees with Nissan (a flag of triangular shape) walk over the distance on foot and offer the Nissan to the shyam Baba temple. Thousands of devotees take part in this Nissan Yatra.

Shukla Ekadashi and Dwadashi

11th and 12th day of every bright half of the Hindi month throughout the year are of a special significance to the temple. Darshan of Shyam Baba in these two days is considered auspicious. Thousands of devotees come and worship in these two days. 

Other festivals

Some other Hindu festivals Krishna Janmashtami, Jhoolini Ekadashi, Basant Panchami, are also celebrated here with joy and enthusiasm.

Administration

The temple administration is managed by a committee registered under a Public Trust. The committee manages the following work inside the temple. The members of the committee are mostly chouhan kshtriya, the decedents of Chouhan Dynasty. 

1. Distribution of Prasadam.

2. Control of gathering during Occasions.

3. Cleanliness inside the temple campus.

4. Lighting arrangements.

5. Goushala managed by the committee.

6. Child education.

7. Security checks.

8. Dharmashala allocation to the devotees.

Places to visit Nearby

Shyam Bageechi

A garden managed by the Temple committee is very a sacred garden. The flowers are picked from here to be offered to Baba Shyam.The great devotee of Baba Lt. Aloo Singh ji's samadhi is also in side the premises.

Gourishankar Temple

It is a renowened temple of Lord Shiva. There is a legend that Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb with his soldier attacked the temple. the soldier used spear on Shivlinga to destroy it. Fountains of blood started to coming out from lingam creating a terror. Then the soldier ran away leaving the temple with fear. One can still see the mark of spear on Lingam.

Laxmangarh Fort 

Luxmangarh fort is constructed by Luxman Singh, a Rajput King in 1862 AD. He established the city Luxamangarh around it in the year 1864 AD.

Luxmangarh Fort

Jeenmata Temple

The sacred shrine of Jeenmata is believed to be a thousand year old. millions of devotees assemble here for a colorful festival, held twice in a year during two Navratras in the Hindi month, Chaitra and Ashwin.

Jeenmata Idol

Where to stay

There are many Dharamshalas in Khatu available for comfortable stay. Many Hotels and guest houses of every budget are available. Overall there is no problem in staying at Khatu.

How to Reach

By rail

Nearest Railway Station is Ringus, only 17 km away. Rail facilities are not proper. Better to take road route from Jaipur.

By road

Jaipur and all other cities of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab are well connected by road to Khatu. From Jaipur, the distance is 80 km. One can reach easily by his own car or taxi.

By air

Nearest airport is Jaipur only 80 km from Khatu. Flights for major cities are available from Jaipur.