Khatu Shyam Temple
Khatushyamji is the diety of Lord Krishna in Kaliyuga who had got the boon from shri krishna that he would be worshipped by his name in kaliyuga. Lord Krishna pleased with Barbareek's great sacrifice, granted him the boon that when Kaliyug descends, he would be worshipped by the name of Shyam in his form. His devotees would be blessed just by pronouncing his name from the bottom of their hearts. Their wishes would be granted and jobs would be completed if they worship Shyamji with a true heart and piety.
Introduction
Khatushyamji is a town of religious importance in Sikar district of Rajasthan in India where there is a famous temple of Shyam baba.
The legend of Shyam Baba can be traced back to the medieval Mahabharata. Barbareek was the son of the great Pandava brother-Bhima's Son Ghatotkacha and Nag Kanya - Ahilawati. Barbareek, from his childhood was very brave and a great warrior. He learnt the art of fighting from his mother. Lord Shiva, pleased with him, gave him the three infallible Arrows (Teen Baan)and got the famous name of Teen Baandhaari and Agni Dev (Fire God) gave him the Bow, which would make him victorious in the three worlds.
The battle of Mahabharata was inevitable between the Pandavas and Kauravas, and having got the news, Barbareek wanted to witness the great war. He promised to his mother, that if he felt the urge, to participate in the battle, he would join the side which would be losing. He rode on the Blue Horse (Leela Ghora) equipped with the three arrows and the bow. The omnipresent Lord Krishna, disguising himself as a Brahmin, stopped Barbareek to examine his strength. He even tried to mock Barbareek saying that he was going to the great battle with only three arrows.
On this, Barbareek replied that only one arrow was enough to destroy all the enemies in the war, and it would then return to his quiver. If all the three were used, it would create havoc in the three worlds. Lord Krishna challenged him to tie all the leaves of the peepal tree under which he was standing, with one arrow. Barbareek accepted the challenge, removed one arrow from his quiver and released it from his bow.
The arrow tied all the leaves together within moments. But Lord Krishna had one leaf under his foot. The arrow then started revolving around his foot, and he asked the boy, whom would he favour in the war. Barbareek reiterated that he would fight for the side which loses. Lord Krishna knew that defeat of Kauravas was inevitable, and if this brave boy joins them, the result would be in their favour.
The Brahmin (Lord Krishna) then wanted charity from the boy. Barbareek promised him anything he wished. Lord Krishna asked him to give his head in charity. The boy was shocked, but he maintained his promise. He requested the Brahmin to disclose his identity. Lord Krishna showed him his divine form.
He explained to Barbareek that before the battle, in order to worship the battlefield, head of the bravest Kshatriya needs to be sacrificed. And he considered Barbareek to be the bravest, and hence asked for his head in charity.
Barbareek requested that he wanted to see the battle till its end, and his wish was granted. Thus on the12th day of Shukla Paksha of Falgun month, he gave his head to Lord Krishna (SHISH DAAN). The head was placed atop a hill near the battlefield from where, Barbareek could watch the whole battle.
When the battle was over and Pandavas having won, they argued amongst themselves as who was responsible for victory. At this, Lord Krishna suggested that Barbareek's head had watched the whole battle, and who else would be a better judge. Barbareek's head suggested that it was Lord Krishna who was responsible for the victory, his advice, his presence, his gameplan had been crucial. He could see only the Sudarshan Chakra revolving around the battlefield which was hacking the Kaurava army to pieces and Draupadi assuming the fearful form of Mahakali Durga was drinking bowl after bowl of blood and was not allowing even one drop of blood to fall on the earth.
Lord Krishna, pleased with Barbareek's great sacrifice, granted him the boon that when Kaliyuga descends, he would be worshipped by the name of Shyam in his form. His devotees would be blessed just by pronouncing his name from the bottom of their hearts.
His head was then buried in Khatu. Milk started to flow out of a cow's udder when she reached the spot. Later, the place was dug up, and the head appeared. The head was handed over to a Brahmin who worshipped the head for many days. The King of Khatu had a dream where he was inspired to build a temple and install the head. Subsequently, a temple was built and the head "SHISH" was installed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month.
Some popular names
Khatushyamji's childhood name was Barbareek. His mother and relatives used to call by this name before the name Khatushyamji was given by Shri Krishna.
The meaning of this is who has donated his head on his own. When Shri Krishna ask him for his head he has given it without any hesitation. The reason behind this was Shri Krishna wants Pandavas as winner, whereas Barbareek was who has taken the oath as supporter of defeating team. Shri Krishna knows very well that the defeating team would be Kauravas' military force. So Krishnaji wants him not to take part in Mahabharat. After demanding of head he has given his head happily and requested krishna to see the big war of Mahabharat. Krishnaji accepted his request and his donated head has been put near on the hilltop.
This name is also one of his popular names. The meaning of the name is "the supporter of defeating team". His mother Ahilawati advised him to support that team which has less power and going to lose the match. he has promised his mother to do so.
He had got three arrows which had infallibility in the world. He got these arrows by Agni Dev after doing a very hard latria. These arrows were sufficient to destroy the whole world. The title written below these three arrows is "Maa Sevyam Parajitah".
The meaning is the donor of the things whatever u want. He never hesitates to give his devotees the things whatever they need and demand for.
He was the rider of the horse which is blue in colour and called as "Leela". Many call it as Neela Ghoda. The horse has so fast speed that noone can imagine it.
Location
Khatu town is situated in the Sikar Dist., Rajasthan, India. Shyamji's temple, constructed of the famous Makrana marble, lies in the heart of the town. Lord Shyamji is considered to be the God of the Kaliyuga. Shyamji is synonymous with Lord Krishna and thus, he is worshipped in the same form also.
Location:
P.O.: Khatu Shyamji
District: Sikar
State: Rajasthan
Khatu: 17 km from Ringas.
Ringas: 63 km from Jaipur on Jaipur-Sikar highway.
Nearest Railway Station:
Ringas: 17 km (by road)
Jaipur: 80 km
Delhi: 266 km
Nearest Airport:
Jaipur / Delhi
How to Reach: One can either land at Delhi or Jaipur from any part of the country by rail, road, or air and from there, follow the suggested routes.
From: Delhi
A. By Road:
Delhi to Gurgaon - Manesar - Dharuheda - Bahror - Kotputli - Shahpura - Chandwaji - Choumu - Ringas - Khatu (Approx. 300 km)
Delhi to Gurgaon - Manesar - Dharuheda - Bahror - Kotputli - Shahpura - Ajitgarh - Deorala - Shri Madhopur - Ringas - Khatu (Approx. 270 km)
Daily bus services from Delhi - Khatu - Delhi are operated by DTC, Haryana Roadways and Rajasthan Roadways.
B. By Rail: Delhi - Ringas - Khatu.
Delhi to Ringas : (metre gauge) Ajmer Express, Chetak Express, Shekhawati Express. (These trains depart from Sarai Rohilla Stn. in Delhi).
Ringas to Khatu : 17 km by road. This distance can be covered either on foot, or by car, jeep, or bus.
C. By Rail : Delhi - Jaipur - Ringas - Khatu
Delhi to Jaipur (broad gauge)
Ashram Exp., Ahmedabad Delhi Mail, Inter-city Exp. Depart from Old Delhi Stn. Ahmedabad Rajdhani Exp. (Sat), New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi Exp., Depart from New Delhi Stn.
Jaipur - Ringas - Khatu:
Khatu is around 75 km from Jaipur via Ringas. Buses, jeeps, and cars are available in Jaipur. From Jaipur :
D. By Road:
Jaipur - Choumu - Ringas - Khatu (approx. 75 km)
From Calcutta: (approx. 1506 km) Howrah - Delhi/New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Poorva Express, Kalka Mail.
From Delhi follow either route as indicated in A / B / C above. Howrah - Jaipur Jodhpur Express From Jaipur follow route D as indicated above.
From Mumbai: (approx. 1210 km)
Mumbai - Delhi by rail or air, then route A/B/C.
Mumbai - Jaipur by rail or air, then route D.
In and around the temple
The temple was built in 1027 by Sh. Roopsingh Chauhan/Smt Narmada Kanwar
Some 975 years ago the wife of Roopsingh Chauhan saw in her dream that deity instructed him to take his image out of the earth. The indicated place, when dug up, yielded the present idol of Shri ShyamJi, which was enshrined in the temple. That spot is now known as Shyam Kund.
Brief of the diety
Lord Shyam Ji: his head is worshipped. The idol is made of rare stone and commands tremendous respect from visitors. Shyam Ji is the family god of lacs of families.
Architecture of the temple
The temple has been built in ancient style of architecture. The shutters of the Sanctum Sanctorum are covered with silver sheet beautifully. Outside is the prayer hall, Jagmohan. The walls of which have beautiful depiction of mythological scenes elaborately painted. The entrance gate and exit gate are made of marble, the brackets of which are of marble having ornamental floral designs.
Important architectural characteristics
Originally the temple was built 975 years ago by Smt. Narmada Kanwar and her husband Shri Roop Singh Chauhan. In Samvat 1777 (1720 A.D.), Diwan Abhaisingh at the behest of the then king of Jodhpur, renovated the old temple. The temple took its present shape at this time and the idol was enshrined in the Sanctum Sanctorum. There is an open chowk before the entrance gate of the temple. A big hall for prayers of the size 40'6"x15'4" (12.3 m x 4.7 m) is also there. In the southeast is the temple of GopinathJi. For the management and disposal of temple work, a seven member committee is constituted. The Public Trust of this committee is registered under registration No. 3/86.
Material of Construction: Lime mortar, marble and tiles. Total Construction Time: eight months in building the original temple
Religious aspects of temple
Lord Shyam is worshipped as Krishna himself. Devotees from far-flung areas and distant places such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Nepal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Panjab assemble here on days held specially sacred to Lord Shyam Ji. In a routine way, hundreds of visitors visit everyday. A number of Dharmashalas (Charity lodges) are available for their comfortable stay. Newly married couples come to pay homage; newly born babies are brought to the deity's temple for Mundan (the first hair shearing) ceremony and Sawamany feasts.
Unique features of the temple
People filled with devotional fervor come here and take a holy dip in the Shyam Kund. They believe, this sacred bath will relieve them of diseases and contagion.
Temple timings
During winter : (Ashwin Badi 1 to Chaitra Sudi 15)
5.30 am. to 1.00 pm. 4.00 pm. to 9.00 pm.
During summer : (Baisakh Badi 1 to Bhadrapad Sudi 15)
4.30 am. to 12.30 pm. 4.00 pm. to 10.00 pm.
Note : The temple is open 24 hours during every Shukla Paksha 11th. Also, the temple is open throughout the Falgun Mela from Falgun Sudi 10th to 12th.
Around the temple
Shyam Kund
The holy pond near the temple from which the SHISH was retrieved. It is believed that a dip in this pond cures a person from ailments and brings good health.
Shyam Bagichi
A blessed garden near the temple from where the flowers are picked to be offered to the deity. The great devotee Lt. Aloo Singhji's Samadhi is also situated in the premises.
Gourishankar Temple
Shiva temple situated near Shyamji's temple. It is a legend that the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's soldiers wanted to destroy this temple, and attacked the Shiva Linga with a spear. Fountains of blood appeared from the Shiva Linga, and the soldiers ran away, terrified. One can still see the mark of the spear on the Linga.
Festivals
Shyamji is also worshipped in the form of Lord Krishna. Thus, the vigour in the festivity mood derives its flavour from the fickle and colourful nature of Lord Krishna.
The most important festival is the Falgun Mela in Khatushyamji which occurs in the month of falgun dashami to dwadashi just 3-4 days earlier from the great indian festival Holi. A large crowd visit here across india to enjoy a flash of baba shyam's idol. The great singers across all over the country come here to perform Bhajans on this holy ocassion.
It was said that Barbreek or Khatushyamji was bachelor (not married). On this holy occasion Pilgrims all over the counry come here as pedestrian with nishans (holy mark - Flags) in their hands. They enjoyed this occasion as the marriage of Khatushyamji.
Other festivals are Janamashthami, Jal Jhulani Ekadashi, Holi, Basant Panchami.
Ekadashi / Dwadashi
(Shukla Paksha - 11th & 12 of every month)
Ekadashi gains its importance from the fact that Shree Shyamji was born on 11th day of Shukla Paksh in the month of Kartik.
Dwadashi - Shree Shyamji donated His Head "SHISH" to Lord Krishna during the great battle of Mahabharata - "SHISH DAAN".
Darshan on these two days are very auspicious and thousands come regularly every month from all parts of the country. The temple remains open throughout the night of Ekadashi for darshan.
Devotees engage themselves in Bhajan-Kirtan on the Ekadashi night (Jaagran). Renowned bhajan singers from different parts of the country sing Bhajans for the deity in different dharamshalas throughout Khatu. Nishan Yatra
It is believed that your wishes are granted if you offer a Nishan at the temple.
Nishan is a triangular flag of a particular size, made of cloth, which is hoisted on a bamboo stick. It is carried in one's hands while covering the route from Ringas to Khatu (17 km) on foot. Nishans are offered in millions during the Falgun Mela, and it is a site to see. Falgun Mela
It is one of the biggest festivals of Rajasthan. The SHISH appeared on Falgun Sudi Ekadashi (11th of Shukla Paksha - Falgun month) and hence the fair is organised from 9th to the 12th of the same month.
An estimated million devotees visit the temple during these four days from all corners of the country. There is virtually no vacant space in the town during this period. The Govt. of Rajasthan takes care of the law and order during the fair.
Hundreds of stalls are put throughout the town selling sweets, food stuff, music cassettes, books etc. Special arrangements are made for feeding the devotees in almost all the Dharamshalas and Vishram Grihas.
There is celebration and festivity in the moods of the devotees who wait for hours in long serpentine queues for a moment's glance of the deity.
Special trains & buses also ply during the mela. The whole town along with the temple is illuminated.
Accommodation
Although there are no hotels in Khatu, there are a large no. of Dharamshalas and Vishram Grihas (VGs) fully equipped with boarding and lodging facilities. These are well maintained by various socio-religious organisations. Some of them even have delux rooms with attached bathrooms, geysers, air-coolers and air-conditioners. The boarding is generally free of cost.
Following is the list of some of the prominent Dharamshalas or Vishram Grihas or VGs (Rest Rooms) in and around Khatu.
- Shree Shyam Seva Mandal
Two modern VGs or Rest Rooms, with more than 100 rooms are available. Some rooms with attach bathrooms and air-coolers are also available. Food is available only on Shukla Paksha 11th of every month. However during the Falgun Mela, food is available daily.
- Shree Shyam Mitra Mandal
One of the biggest VGs in Khatu. Rooms with air-coolers are also available. The premises is quite large as compared to other VGs. STD/ISD facility is also available. It is one of the VGs where food is available throughout the year. Devotees both staying in the VG as well as elsewhere, can have food at Shree Shyam Mitra Mandal.
- Shree Shyam Panchayati Dharamshala
Delux and A.C. Rooms are available. Food is mostly available throughout the year.
- Shree Shyam Kala Bhavan
Rooms with air-coolers are available. Food is available during Falgun Mela. STD/ISD facility is available.
- Parasramka Guest House
- Rewadi walon ki Dharamshala
- Garh walon ki Dharamshala
- Haryana Dharamshala
- Shree Shyam Prem Mandal
Besides these, there are hundreds of small and big boarding houses in and around Khatu.
Note: Due to heavy rush during the Falgun Mela, accommodation is very difficult. Thus one should arrange for pre-booking of the rooms by contacting the respective offices of these organisations.
Medical: Govt. Hospital with ambulance facility, Medical Shops and Homeopathic Dispensary maintained by Shree Shyam Seva Mandal.
Devotees
There are millions of devotees who worship Shyamji throughout the world. A great number have devoted their whole life to the cause.Their devotion being so divine and pure, that they themselves have been considered as cult figures and are worshipped too.
Some of his devotees who have devoted their lives in the name of Shyam Baba are :
- Lt. Shree Shyam Bahadurji
- Lt. Shree Alu Singhji
- Lt. Shree Shiv Charanji Bhimrajka
- Lt. Shree Sanwalramji
- Lt. Shree Manglaramji
- Lt. Shree Matriduttji.
- Shree Chandraji Sharma
The list is endless and we hope that more and more names are added to the above list.
Singers
Devotees engage themselves in Bhajan-Kirtan on the Ekadashi night (Jaagran). Renowned bhajan singers from different parts of the country sing Bhajans for the deity in different dharamshalas throughout Khatu.
Bhajan Singers, both professional and amateur hailing from different parts of the country, are present in Khatu to sing devotional songs and please the Lord. Devotees throughout the world organise Bhajan programmes (Jaagrans) and invite these Bhajan Singers to sing devotional songs.
Following are some of the renowned Bhajan Singers / Poets from different parts of the country.
- Tarachand Sharma, Kolkata
- Nandkishore Sharma (Nanduji), Ahmedabad
- Lakhbir Singh "Lakkha Singh", Mumbai
- Jai Shankar Chowdhary (Agarwal), Kolkata
- Rajendra Jain, Kolkata
- Kunj Bihariji (Behariji), Vrindavan
- Shiv Kumar Jalan (Shibu), Bhilwara
- Ravindra Kejriwal (Ravi), Kolkata
- Damodar Sharma, Bhagalpur
- Binod Kr. Garodia (Binnu), Barakar
- Sanjay Mittal, Kolkata
- Shyam Sundar Sharma, Delhi
- Sohanlal Lohakar, Khatushyamji
- Sanjay Agarwal, Kolkata
- Kumar Narendra, Jaipur
- Pawan Bhatia, Kolkata
- Sandeep Sultania, Kolkata
- Sanjay Sharma, Kolkata
- Vijay Soni, Kolkata
- Harjeet Singh Heera, Tatanagar
- Baby Uma Lahari, Jaipur
- Liyakat Ali, Khatushyamji
- Babulal Sharma, Khatushyamji
- Pappu Sharma, Khatushyamji
- Raj Kumar Khandelwal, Mumbai
- Gopal Bajaj, Hyderabad
- Ramesh Sharma, Bhagalpur