India being a land of mythologies and epics, a lot of importance is attached to a lot of structures and formations here. The temples in India are the biggest examples of that. Khatu Shyam Mandir in Rajasthan is just one such temple. From the legend associated with it to the connection with Indian epic Mahabharata this temple in Rajasthan holds a lot of importance for the Hindus. In this article I am going to mention everything about the Khatu Shyam Mandir Rajasthan. I am sure by the end of this article you will have all the information you need to plan a successful visit to this temple. So keep on reading.
Khatu Shyam Mandir
Location: Khatoo Village, near Sikar district, Rajasthan
Khatu Shyam Mandir Timing / Khatu Shyam Mandir kab khulega (opening time)
The opening time of the temple is 5:30 am to 1 pm in the morning and 5 pm to 9 pm in the evening during winter months. For summer months the timing is 4:30 am to 12:30 pm in the morning to 4 pm to 10 pm in the evening.
However the time changes during special occasions. During Shukla Paksha Ekadashi the temple remains open for 24 hours. Also during the Phagun Mela the temple is open through all the 4 days of the festival.
Aarti timings of Khatu Shyam Mandir
Winter timings:
Mangala Aarti- 5:30 am
Shringaar Aarti- 8 am
Bhog Aarti- 12: 30 pm
Sandhya Aarti- 6:30 pm
Shayan Aarti- 9 pm
Summer timings:
Mangala Aarti- 4:30 am
Shringaar Aarti- 7 am
Bhog Aarti- 12: 30 pm
Sandhya Aarti- 7:30 pm
Shayan Aarti- 10 pm
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How to reach Khatu Shyam Mandir
By air
There is no direct flight connectivity in Sikar. The nearest airport to reach the Khatu Shyam Mandir is Jaipur Airport which is around 95 km away. From Jaipur you can take a train to the Reengus Junction and the distance is around 62 km. Furthermore from there you will need an auto or cab to reach the temple.
By train
The nearest railway station to reach Khatu Shyam Mandir is Ringus or Reengus Junction which is around 20 km away. Other nearby stations to the temple are Kishan Manpura Junction, Baori Thikariya Junction and Sonthalia Junction.
By road
From Jaipur you can reach the temple via road. Khatu Shyam temple distance from Jaipur via road is around 82 km. Sikar to Khatu Shyam distance is about 45 km.
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Khatu Shyam Mandir Rajasthan distance from other destinations
You can reach the Khatu Shyam Temple from a lot of destinations. Jaipur and Sikar are well connected to most of the cities and places nearby. So communication would not be an issue. However the easiest option to reach the Khatu Shyam Temple would be to reach Jaipur first and from there you can reach the Khatu Shyam Temple.
Khatu Shyam Mandir distance
Delhi 300 km
Mathura 310 km
Agra 330 km
Chandigarh 450 km
Lucknow 660 km
Mumbai 1190 km
Pune 1235 km
Hyderabad 1535 km
Kolkata 1660 km
Bangalore 1975 km
About Khatu Shyam Mandir
The Khatu Shyam Ji Temple is a very important temple located in the Khatoo Village in Rajasthan. Here the main presiding deities are Lord Krishna and Barbarik. It is believed that the temple is formed in the place where the head of Barbarik was found. Furthermore this temple in Rajasthan holds a lot of significance for the devotees. According to mythology, before the battle of Mahabharata Barbarik decided to support the weaker clan so that it is just.
But that decision would have led to a complete destruction where only Barbarik could survive. Then lord Krishna came to the rescue to stop such destruction. Furthermore, he asked for the head of Barbarik, that is Sheesh Daan and he agreed in an instance. Lord Krishna was so impressed with this act that he granted him a boon according to which Barbarik would be worshipped with the name of Shyam Ji and his own form.
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History of Khatu Shyam Mandir
The formation of the Khatu Shyam Temple goes back to the time of Mahabharata. Barbrik was the grandson of Bhim and Hidimba and son of Ghatotkach. It is believed by many that before the battle of Kurukshetra Barbarik expressed his last wish to witness the war. Therefore Lord Krishna placed his head on top of a mountain so that he could see the war. In the Kalyuga later in time his head was found buried in the village of Khatoo. At that time Roopsingh Chauhan the king of Khatu had a dream. Later he was inspired to build this temple. Furthermore the idol of the temple was installed in the Shukla Paksha on the 11th day in the month of Phagun.
There is yet another story regarding the formation of the temple. It is said that the wife of King Roopsingh Chauhan saw the dream which inspired them to build this temple. She was also instructed to dig out the head from under the earth. The dug out place is currently known as the Shyam Kund.
However the temple was built in 1027 AD by Roopsingh Chauhan. Later in 1720 AD the temple was renovated by Diwan Abhaisingh who was a nobleman. The present structure of the temple took its form thereafter.
Further it is also believed that Barbarik received a boon from Lord Krishna to be called as Shyam Ji. Because of that same boon it is believed that he is still being worshipped in the Kalyuga. The Kartik Sud Ekadashi is considered as the birthday of Khatu Shyam Ji and it is celebrated by the devotees as well.
Architecture of Khatu Shyam Mandir
One of the highlights of the Khatu Shyam Ji Mandir is the architecture. Purely made of white marble, the structure looks grand in its appearance. The beauty of the structure cannot be ignored and a lot of people visit here just to laud the architectural brilliance of the temple here. Khatu Shyam Mandir Rajasthan Images can never justify the brilliance of the artwork. You actually need to observe it with your own eyes to understand architectural mastery.
Inside there is a large prayer hall that is named Jagmohan. Furthermore this hall is surrounded by walls. The walls depict various scenes from the mythology and that is one of the things to witness here. Further the entrance and exit gates are made of marble and are further designed with floral motifs. The inner shutter of the sanctum sanctorum is covered in a beautiful golden sheet that adds to the majestic beauty of this temple further.
Furthermore, just near the temple there is a holy pond known as the Shyam Kund. This is the same spot from where the head of Khatu Shyam Ji was taken out after digging. It is believed by the devotees that the water of the holy pond has healing properties in it. The water is believed to cure people of their ailments and also brings good health to them. Also it is believed that taking a dip in the water of Shyam Kund during the Phagun Mela is especially salutary.
Also, there is an open space near the entrance of the temple known as the Shyam Bagicha. This is a garden and flowers are picked from here to offer it to the deity later. On the South east of the main temple lies the Gopinath temple. Furthermore, there is another temple known as the Gaurishankar temple nearby.
Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Phagun Mela / Phalgun Mela/ Fagotsava Mela
This is one of the most popular festivals that is celebrated in the Khatu Shyam Mandir during this mela. People from all over the world travel barefoot in large groups to visit the temple. Furthermore they offer a Nishan or a Triangular shaped holy flag to the deity. Finally on the 12th day the deity is offered the Bhog of Kheer and Churma. This is one of the most popular festivals in Rajasthan that attracts a lot of visitors on a yearly basis.
Furthermore the Phagum Mela being the main festival, all the arrangements are done and managed by the Khatu Shyam Mandir Committee. There are huge arrangements like barricading, decorations, Prasad preparations, electricity management, arrangement of generators, sound system, video coverage etc is done. Along with that a number of Dharmashalas are also arranged where the devotees can stay and rest during the festival. It is a 4 day long festival and during this period the Khatu Shyam Temple remains open for 24 hours.
Other than the Phagun Mela, Holi, Janmashtami, Vasant Panchami, Jhool Jhulani Ekadhashi are the festivals celebrated here. Some of the important rituals here are taking a dip in Shyam Kund, Ekadashi, Dwadashi and Nishan Yatra.
Conclusion:
Temples like the Khatu Shyam Mandir hold a lot of importance in the hearts of the devotees. Furthermore these temples become even more popular because of the kind of belief the devotees have on the deity. With stories from mythology attached to it, the visit to this temple can be very interesting. Further if you pray here from your heart your wishes just might just get fulfilled. So do plan a visit to this temple and offer your prayers. If you are anywhere near the area or visiting Jaipur or even Rajasthan make sure you are visiting this temple. Do let me know if this article was helpful for you in planning a visit to the Khatu Shyam Mandir Rajasthan.