Barbarika

Barbarika (Barbarīka) in Hinduism is the son of Ghatotkacha (son of Bhima) and Princess Maurvi, daughter of Daitya Moora,^[1] though other references state that he was a warrior from the south. He is a folk character and is not attested in the Mahabharata.

Khatu Shyam
War, Sacrifice
Barbarika worshipped as Khatushyamji in Khatu near Sikar as well as other places including Kota, Rajasthan
Other names	Barbarik, Khatu Naath, Yalambar
Abode	Mount Meru
Symbols	Bow, Arrow
Festivals	Khatu Shyam Jayanti
Parents	Ghatotkacha (father), Mauravi(mother)

In Nepal, Kirati king Yalambar is believed to be the Barbarik of Mahabharata, son of Ghatotkach and grandson of Bheem. Legend credits him with meeting Indra, the lord of heaven, who ventured into the Valley in human guise, while natives of the Kathmandu Valley portray him as Akash Bhairav.^[2]

In Rajasthan, Barbarika is worshipped as Khatu Shyam in Khatu Shyam Temple,^[3] and in Gujarat, he is worshipped as Baliyadev.^[4]

His legendary arrows

Barbarika/ Belarsen was a grandson of Bhima (second of the Pandava brothers), and the son of Ghatotkacha. Ghatotkacha was the son of Bhima and Hidimbi. He learnt the art of warfare from his mother Ahilāvati, who was also known as Mauravi (daughter of Mura). The gods (ashtadeva) gave him the three infallible arrows.^[5]

See also

• Iravan