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Khatu Shyam Temple
Hindu temple in Rajasthan, India From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Khatu Shyam Temple is a Hindu temple located in Khatoo town in the Sikar district of Rajasthan. It is a pilgrimage site dedicated to the worship of Khatu Shyam, a divine figure believed to be a manifestation of Barbarika, a character from the Indian epic Mahabharata.[1] The temple is one of the most revered religious sites in Rajasthan, attracting millions of devotees annually, particularly during the Phalgun Mela, a festival held in the Hindu month of Phalguna (February–March).[2]
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According to legend, the temple was originally constructed in 1027 CE by Roop Singh Chauhan, a local ruler. In his dream, he was guided to unearth a buried idol of Barbarika, believed to be the head of the warrior, at a site now known as Shyam Kund, a sacred pond near the temple. The idol was installed in the temple, marking the beginning of its veneration as a holy site. The current structure of the temple, built with white Makrana marble, reflects traditional Rajasthani architecture.[3]
The temple’s prominence grew over centuries, particularly due to its connection with Barbarika, a legendary figure from the Indian epic Mahabharata. Barbarika, the son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of the Pandava Bhima, is revered as Khatu Shyam, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna in the Kali Yuga.[4]
According to tradition, Lord Krishna blessed Barbarika with the boon that he would be worshipped in this age under the name Shyam.[5] The temple’s historical significance was further cemented during the medieval period, including events like the Battle of Khatu Shyamji in 1779, where local chiefs defended the region against Mughal forces.[6]
Origin and mythology
The origins of the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, specifically the epic Mahabharata. The deity worshipped here, Khatu Shyam Ji, is believed to be Barbarika, the grandson of Bhima (one of the Pandava brothers) and son of Ghatotkacha. According to legend, Barbarika was a powerful warrior who possessed three divine arrows capable of determining the outcome of the Kurukshetra war. To ensure fairness in the battle, Lord Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin, tested Barbarika’s resolve and ultimately asked him to sacrifice his head as an act of charity. Impressed by his devotion and selflessness, Krishna blessed Barbarika, declaring that he would be worshipped as Shyam (another name for Krishna) in the Kali Yuga (last of four yugas in Hindu cosmology). The temple is believed to house the head of Barbarika, making it a sacred site for devotees.[7][8]
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Nishaan Yatra
Nishaan Yatra is a revered pilgrimage honouring Khatu Shyam, a deity linked to Lord Krishna and Barbarika, held annually in Khatoo, Rajasthan. During the Phalguna Mela, lakhs of devotees participate in this procession, carrying a nishan—a sacred triangular flag in saffron, orange, or red—symbolising devotion. Pilgrims typically travel on foot from Reengus to the Khatu Shyam Temple, covering about 17 km, while chanting prayers, singing bhajans, and dancing.[9] The flag is offered at the temple to seek blessings.[10]
The Surajgarh white flag is hoisted annually atop the Khatushyam temple during the Phalguna Mela. Originating from Surajgarh, a town on the Haryana–Rajasthan border, this flag, adorned with a blue horse, has been raised for over 300 years. It embodies a rich history tied to resistance against Mughal and British attempts to disrupt temple practices.[11]
Crafted in Surajgarh’s ancient temple, the flag is carried in a 152-km padyatra (foot pilgrimage) to Khatushyam. The flag, believed to house Baba Shyam’s divine presence, is hoisted on Phalguna Shukla Paksha.[12]
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