Khatu Shyam Ji Temple
Khatu, Sikar district (about 80 km from Jaipur) · Shyam Baba – Barbarika, grandson of Bhima, worshipped as a form of Krishna (the head of Barbarika is enshrined)
The shrine of Barbarika, the warrior who gave his head to Krishna – 'the support of those who have lost'.
Khatu Shyam Ji is one of the most visited temples in North India. Its deity, Shyam Baba, is Barbarika, a hero from the Mahabharata who gave his own head to Krishna before the Kurukshetra war. Krishna blessed him to be worshipped in the Kali Yuga under Krishna's own name, Shyam. The temple in Khatu village is said to hold that head, found in a nearby pond now called Shyam Kund. The white marble temple draws huge crowds every month on the Shukla Ekadashi, and lakhs of pilgrims, many walking with flags (nishan) from Reengus, come for the Phalgun Lakhi Mela.
Timings
- Summer darshan: approx. 4:30 AM – 12:30 PM and 4:00 – 10:00 PM
- Winter darshan: approx. 5:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 – 9:00 PM
- Shukla Ekadashi: Usually open round the clock (reported); very crowded from the previous evening
- Note: These timings are widely reported by pilgrimage guides (e.g. Yatradham, Feb 2026) but could not be confirmed from an official Shri Shyam Mandir Committee source. The committee changes aarti times with the season – e.g. in the Kartik/Margashirsha winter period Shringar Aarti has been moved to about 8:00 AM and Sandhya Aarti to about 6:15 PM. The sanctum also closes briefly for special tilak/shringar; check before travelling.
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
- Live darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Nishan (flag) offering – Cost of the flag (approx. ₹50 – ₹1,000+ depending on size, bought from shops) (Any day; especially Ekadashi and the Phalgun mela)
- Mor-chhadi blessing – Free (During darshan)
- Offerings of itra, flowers and prasad – Varies (bought from shops near the temple) (Any time during darshan)
- Shyam bhajan sandhya / jagaran – Varies – arranged privately (Ekadashi nights and festivals)
- Aarti darshan (Mangla, Shringar, Sandhya, Shayan) – Free (Daily at the aarti times (see schedule))
- Kheer-churma bhog – Varies (prepared privately or bought) (Phalgun Shukla Dwadashi (the 12th day of the mela) and other special days)
- Snan at Shyam Kund – Free (Any day; especially during the Phalgun mela)
How to book darshan
No advance booking is needed for darshan. There is no confirmed official website of the Shri Shyam Mandir Committee for online services; donations and programmes are handled at the temple office.
Aarti timings (unofficial guide)
Dress code
Modest clothes. No strict code, but traditional dress is preferred. Remove footwear before entering.
Best time to visit
October to March. Avoid Shukla Ekadashi (and the evening before) and the Phalgun mela if you dislike crowds; a weekday morning outside Ekadashi is easiest.
How to reach
- air: Jaipur International Airport, about 95 km (approx. 2 – 2.5 hours by road).
- rail: Reengus (Ringas) Junction, about 17 km, on the Jaipur–Sikar–Churu line. Shared jeeps and buses run to Khatu.
- road: About 80 km from Jaipur via Chomu and Reengus; about 50 km from Sikar. Roadways buses and private taxis are frequent.
Festivals
- Phalgun Lakkhi Mela – Phalgun Shukla (Feb–Mar), about 12 days ending on Phalgun Shukla Dwadashi. 2026: peaked 27–28 Feb. 2027: Phalgun Shukla (Amalaki) Ekadashi falls on 18 March 2027 by standard panchangs, so the mela is expected roughly 8–19 March 2027 – official dates not yet announced
- Baba Shyam's Janmotsav – Kartik Shukla (Devuthani) Ekadashi – Oct–Nov (approx. 20–21 November 2026 by panchang; check locally)
- Monthly Shukla Ekadashi – Every month
- Holi – Phalgun Purnima (Holika Dahan 21 March 2027)
- Janmashtami – Aug–Sep
- Diwali – Oct–Nov