Khatu Shyamji is a village of religious importance in Sikar District of Rajasthan, it is located around 80 kms away from Jaipur, with unconditional faith in your heart. You have to walk long distances even today, pilgrims carrying saffron flags and signing praises to the deity. After all, this place is home of Shyam Baba who’s supposed to make every want you entrust in him come true.
Khatu Shyam Mandir, Sikar, Rajasthan- How to reach
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Khatu Shyamji is synonymous with Lord Krishna and he is worshipped in the same form. In Hinduism, Khatu Shyam is a manifestation of Barbarika, some of Ghatotkacha. The legend begins with Mahabharata. Barbarika alias Khatu Shyamji or Shyam Baba was a grandson of the brave prince, Bhima who is the second brothers of Pandava.
He was the son of Ghatotkacha, got by Bhima through one of his women, Jagadamba. Indeed, in his nonage, Barbarika was a veritably valorous legionnaire. He learnt the art of warfare from his mama.
Pleased with his skills, Lord Shiva gave him three unerring arrows. Latterly, Agni, the god of Fire, presented him the arc that would make him victorious in the three worlds. When Barbarika came to know of the bitter battle between the Kauravas and the Pandavs, he wanted to participate in warfare.
He promised his mother that he would join the side which would be losing, Touching Jagadamba’s feet, then he rode on his Blue Horse equipped with his three arrows and bow.
Lord Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin stopped Barbarika to examine his strength. He indeed tried to mock him, saying that he was going to the great battle with only three arrows. Barbarika replied that a single arrow was enough to destroy all his opponents. He stated that the first arrow is used to mark all the effects that he wanted to destroy.
If he used the second arrow, it would mark all things that he wanted to save and on releasing the third arrow, it would destroy all the things that were marked. Lord Krishna challenged him to tie all the leaves one by one of the peeple tree under which he was standing.
Barbarika accepted the challenge and started planning with unrestricted eyes to release his arrow. Also Lord Krishna, without Barbarika’s knowledge, plucked one of the leaves of the peeple tree and put it under his bottom.
When Barbarika released his first arrow then it marked all the leaves of the peeple tree and finally started to revolve around the leg of Krishna. Confused, Krishna asked Barbarika that why was the arrow revolving around his bottom. Also, Barbarika explained that there must be a splint under his bottom and the arrow was targeting it.
Then Barbarika advised Lord Krisna to move away of he did not want to get hurt, then Lord Krishna promptly lifted his foot and to his surprise, found that first arrow also marked the splint that he has hidden. Of course, when the third arrow was finally released then it collected all the leaves of the peeple tree, including the one that was hidden under Lord Krishna’s foot and tied them all together.
Krishna concluded that the arrows were blessed and infallible. Then he asked the boy who he would favor in the war. Barbarika then revealed that he would fight for whichever side was weak. Krishna knew that the defeat of the Kauravas was evitable. Krishan then sought charity from the youth and Barbarika promised him anything he wished. Lord Krishna promptly asked him to give his head then Barbarika was shocked. He requested the Brahim to disclose his real identity then Lord Krishna showed Barbarika a vision of his Divine form.
Also, he explained to Barbarika that before the battle the head of the bold Kshatriya requested demanded to be offered. Then he considered Barbarika to be the bravest amongst the Kshatriya warriors and hence has asked for his head in charity. In compliance with the Lord’s command Barbarika sacrificed his head to Krishna. But he also attained a boon from Krishna to the effect that he’d be known by one of Krishna’s numerous names, Shyan in the Kaliyuga period.
Krishna not only granted him the boon but also declared that Barbarika’ devotees would be blessed and all their wished granted by simply pronouncing his name from the bottom of their hearts. Barbarika’s sacrifice happened on the 12th day of Shulka Paksha in the month of Phalgun. The youth requested that though he was laying down his skull, he still wanted to see the battel till its end and his wish was granted. The head was placed atop a hill overlooking the battleground.
When the battle was over, the victorious Pandava brothers argued amongst themselves as to who was responsible for the victory. At this, Krishna suggested that Barbarika’s head had watched the whole battle and he should be allowed to judge. Barbarika’s head submitted that it was Lord Krishna who was responsible for the triumph as his advice, presence and game plan had been important. It is also believed that some years after that Battle for Kurukshetra the head was retrieved from the holy pond that is situated near the present Khatu Shyam temple. When you are here you must take a dip in this holy pond that curses you from all ailments and brings good health. During the fair held in the month of Phalgun, throng the pond from different placed and take a dip top wash away their all sins.
The Aartis performed at the Khatu Shyam Mandir
There is total 5 aartis that are performed on every day at the Khatu Shyam Mandir. The devotional ambiance and the serenity brought forth by the chanting and the aarti is incomparable and if you are planning to visit this amazing temple then you must try to attend one of the following aartis.
- Mangala Aarti- Mangala Aarti is performed early in the morning when the temple opens its gates to the devotees.
- Shringar Aarti- As the name of the aarti suggest, Shringar Arti is the time when the Khatu Shaym Ji’s idol is grandly ornamented and accompanied by an aarti.
- Bhog Aarti- Bhog Aarti is the third aarti of the day and it is performed at noon when bhog or prasadam is served to the Lord Khathu Shyam.
- Sandhya Aarti- Sandhya means evening so as the name suggest that Sandhya Aarti is performed in the evening, at the time of the sunset.
- Sayana Aarti- Before the temple is closed for the night, sayana aarti is performed.
There are two main hymns that are chanted all these times, these are the Shri Shyam Aarti and the Shri Shyam Vinati.
How to reach Khatu Shyam Temple
Khatu Shyam temple is very well connected to all the nearby cities and so it is very easy to reach the temple via rail and road means of transport. But there is no airport located in the sikar district of Rajasthan, so the nearest airport to the Khatu Shyam Temple is the Jaipur airport which is located around 95 kilometers away from Khatu Shyam temple.
The nearest railway station to the Khatu Shyam Temple is the Ringus or Reengus junction which is located around 20 kilometers away from the temple. Baori Thikria Jn, Kishan Manpura Jn and Sonthaliya Jn are some of the railway stations that are located near Khatu Shyam mandir.
How to reach Khatu Shyam Temple from Jaipur City
To reach Khatu Shyam Temple from Jaipur is very easy as the temple is verry well connected to Jaipur via road and rail. If you want to go to Khatu Shyam mandir from Jaipur city via train, then there are around 10 daily trains running between Jaipur Jn and Ringus Jn. From the Ringus Jn you can hire a can or can take an auto to reach Khatu Shyam mandir.
YOu can also reach Khatu Shyam temple vis bus or private can or personal vehicle from Jaipur city. The road distance from Jaipur and Khatu village is around 82 kilometers. If you are traveling in your personal vehicle, then you should take NH 11 as it is one of the best routes to reack Khatu village from Jaipur city. There is a number of private and government buses plying from Jaipur to Khatu Village.
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How to reach Khatu Shaym temple form Ringus or Reengus Junction
Ringus or Reengus is a small town that is located near the popular Khatu village in Shrimadhopur tehsil of Sikar district in Rajasthan. Ringus railway station is the most serving and one of the nearest railway stations to the Khatu Shyam mandir. You can easily get e-rickshaws and public autos from the railway station’s exit gate to the Khatu Shyam mandir.
If you want a comfortable and convenient ride, then you can hire private taxis and cabs which are also available at the Ringus Junction. The distance from Ringus Junction to Khatu Shaym mandir is around 20 kilometers.
How to reach Khatu Shyam temple from Delhi
It is very easy and convenient to reach Khatu Shyam temple from New Delhi and if you are planning visit Khatu Shyam mandir via car then it may take around 5 to 6 hours to reach. The best route to Khatu Shyam mandir from Delhi is to go via NH48. Alternatively, you can also go via train as there are 3 daily trains running from Delhi to Ringus Junction.
Moreover, you can also book a flight to Jaipur from New Delhi and then you can hire a cab to Khatu Shyam mandir. The distance from Delhi to Khatu Shyam mandir is around 300 kilometers. The aerial distance from Delhi to Jaipur is around 240 kilometers. The total distance from Jaipur airport to Khatu Shyam temple is around 95 kilometers.
Best time to visit Khatu Shyam Temple
The best time to visit the temple is during the annual Lakkhi fair that is held in the month of February and March. Lakkhi fair is a 5-day fair that attracts lakhs of devotees who come to pay homage to their beloved deity. During Lakkhi fair, the temple is decorated in full glory. The dates of Lakkhi fair are finalized according to the Hindu calendar.
