About Khatu Shyam Ji | Khatu Shyam Ji Mandir
Baba Khatu Shyam, also known as Barbareek, is a deity worshipped in Hinduism, particularly in the northern parts of India.
Barbareek was the grandson of Bheema and the son of Ghatothkach. Barberic mastered the ‘Vedas’ and meditated to gain wisdom and power.
He worshipped the ‘Nine Durgas’ at a secret place of Mahisagar Sangam. His dedication and austerity won him many supernatural bents along with some magical bows and arrows.
When the fierce battle of Mahabharata was to be fought in Kurukshetra between the Kauravas and Pandavas, Barberic took the blessings of his mother and proceeded to take part in the impending battle.
Interestingly, instead of being at his grandfather’s party, he decided to be on the side of the losing party.
When Lord Krishna got to know about it, he realized that this way there will never be a concrete conclusion to this battle and he didn’t want Barbareek to be on the side of the ‘Kauravas’.
He had to intervene and stop him from participating in the battle. Hence, he disguised himself as a Brahmin and met him on his way to Kurukshetra.
When asked, Barbareek told him that he was going to participate in the battle but Lord Krishna asked him to prove his competence first.
Barbareek dazzled him with his archery skills as he was able to shed all the leaves of a tree with a single arrow barring the single one which was lying in Lord Krishna’s feet.
Barbareek requested the Lord to remove his feet from the leaf lest his foot could get wounded by the arrow. Shri Krishna removed his foot in lieu of a promise. Barberic agreed to fulfil whatever his Lord wished from him.
Lord Krishna asked for his head in return. Such was the greatness of Barbareek that he agreed readily but demanded to see Lord Krishna in his divine form as he was sure that no mortal being would ever ask for such a sacrifice.
He asked Barbareek to offer his head to ‘Ranchandika’ and gave him the blessing that during Kalyuga, he would be worshipped in his name as a reward for his supreme sacrifice.
He honoured him that he will be revered in the name of Krishna till the earth, sun and moon will exist in the universe. Since then, Barbareek is worshipped in the name of Khaatu Shyamji and has become immortal. He enjoys the same divinity as Lord Krishna.
Khatu Shyam is mainly worshipped by the Rajasthani community, and his temple is located in the town of Khatu in the Sikar district of Rajasthan. Devotees believe that praying to Khatu Shyam can bring prosperity, good health, and happiness to their lives.
The temple of Khatu Shyam is visited by a large number of devotees, especially during the annual fair held in the month of Phalguna (February-March) called the Khatu Shyamji Fair. The fair is a major attraction for pilgrims and tourists alike, and it is marked by various cultural and religious activities.
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The Story of Khatu Shyam Mandir, Sikar
Legend says that before the beginning of the Mahabharata Barbarika’s last wish was to see the battle of Mahabharata. Therefore, Lord Krishna placed his head on the top of a mountain so that Barbarika could see the war.
Many years after the beginning of Kali Yuga, the head was found buried in the Khatu village located in present-day Rajasthan. The location was obscured until well after the Kali Yuga period began.
After that, suddenly on an occasion, milk started flowing spontaneously out of a cow’s udder when she neared the burial spot. Astonished by this incident, the local villagers dug the place up and the buried head was found.
The head was handed over to a Brahmin who worshipped it for many days, awaiting divine revelations to find out what was to be done next. Roop Singh Chauhan, king of Khatu, then had a dream where he was inspired to build a temple and install the head therein.
Subsequently, a temple was built and the idol was installed on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the month of Phalgun.
