Khatu Shyam Ji: The Story of Barbarik, the Temple and How to Visit

Khatu Shyam Ji is the deified form of Barbarik, son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of Bhima, who gave his head to Krishna before the Mahabharata war. Moved by the sacrifice, Krishna blessed him to be worshipped in the Kali Yuga by Krishna’s own name, Shyam. His head is enshrined at the Khatu Shyam temple in Sikar district, Rajasthan.

He is one of the most popular deities of north India today, especially among families from Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi, and is lovingly called Baba Shyam, Teen Baan Dhari (“bearer of three arrows”) and Haare ka Sahara (“support of the defeated”).

Khatu Shyam at a glance

Also called	Barbarik, Barbarika, Shyam Baba, Sheesh ke Daani, Teen Baan Dhari
Parents	Ghatotkacha and Maurvi (also called Ahilavati or Kamakantakata)
Grandfather	Bhima, the second Pandava
Weapons	Three infallible arrows and a bow
Mount	A blue horse (Leela)
Main temple	Khatu, Sikar district, Rajasthan
Main festival	Phalguna mela; birthday on Dev Uthani Ekadashi
Source	Skanda Purana and folk tradition; not in Vyasa’s critical text

The story of Barbarik

Barbarik was born to Ghatotkacha, the half-rakshasa son of Bhima and Hidimba, and his wife Maurvi. From childhood he was a great warrior. Through devotion and austerity — to Shiva in many versions, to the goddesses in others — he received three infallible arrows:

• the first would mark everything he wished to destroy,
• the second would mark everything he wished to spare,
• the third would destroy all that was marked.

With three arrows, he could end any war alone.

The vow to help the losing side

When the Kurukshetra war was announced, Barbarik set out on his blue horse to watch and to fight. His mother had made him promise to fight for the side that was losing. On the way, Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin, stopped him and asked how long he would need to finish the war. “One arrow,” Barbarik replied.

Krishna tested him: “Mark every leaf of this peepal tree.” Barbarik released an arrow, which marked every leaf and then circled Krishna’s foot, under which Krishna had hidden one leaf.

The gift of the head

Krishna saw the problem with Barbarik’s vow. Whichever side he joined would become the stronger, so he would have to switch to the other — again and again — until only he survived. Krishna, still disguised, asked Barbarik for a gift. When Barbarik promised, Krishna asked for his head.

Recognising that this was no ordinary Brahmin, Barbarik asked him to reveal himself. Krishna showed his true form. Barbarik gave his head willingly, asking only to see the whole war. Krishna placed the head on a hilltop overlooking the battlefield.

After the war, the Pandavas argued over who deserved the credit for victory. Krishna suggested asking Barbarik, who had seen everything. Barbarik said he had seen only Krishna’s Sudarshana Chakra moving across the field, cutting down the warriors — that it was Krishna alone who had won the war. For the battle itself, see the 18 days of the Mahabharata war.

Pleased with his devotion and sacrifice, Krishna granted him a boon: in the Kali Yuga he would be worshipped by Krishna’s own name, Shyam, and would fulfil the prayers of those who came to him with a true heart. Hence he is called Sheesh ke Daani, “the giver of his head”.

Versions differ. In some, the head is cut by Krishna’s discus; in others Barbarik himself offers it; in some Nepali and Himachali traditions he is identified with local deities. Our account follows the most widely told north Indian version.

The Khatu Shyam temple

According to temple tradition, Barbarik’s head was buried at Khatu and forgotten for centuries. A cow is said to have released milk spontaneously at one spot; when the ground was dug, the head was found. The local ruler, Roop Singh Chauhan, was told in a dream to build a temple, and the head was enshrined — temple tradition dates this to around 1027 CE. The present structure dates largely from a rebuilding in 1720.

Places to see at Khatu:

• The main shrine, where the head of Shyam Baba is worshipped, richly decorated with flowers and a silver crown.
• Shyam Kund, the tank where the head is said to have been found. Devotees bathe here before darshan.
• Shyam Bagicha, the temple garden whose flowers are offered to the deity.
• Gauri Shankar temple nearby.

Festivals at Khatu

• Phalguna Lakkhi Mela. The great fair in the bright half of Phalguna (February–March), peaking on Phalguna Shukla Ekadashi and Dwadashi. Lakhs of devotees walk from Ringas and beyond carrying colourful nishan (flags).
• Shyam Baba’s birthday on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, in Kartik.
• Every Ekadashi, especially the Shukla Ekadashi of each month. See what is Ekadashi.
• Holi is celebrated with colour and bhajans, as the Phalgun mela runs into it.

How to visit Khatu Shyam

Location	Khatu, Sikar district, Rajasthan
From Jaipur	About 80 km by road (around 2 hours)
Nearest railway station	Ringas Junction, about 17 km
Nearest airport	Jaipur International Airport
Best time	October–March; expect huge crowds at the Phalgun mela and on Ekadashi

Darshan timings change with the season and for festivals, and the temple is closed for short periods for bhog and shringar. Check the temple committee’s current notices before travelling, especially during the mela, when queue management and route restrictions apply.

Worshipping Khatu Shyam at home

Devotees keep an image of Shyam Baba’s head with its distinctive large eyes and crown, offer a lamp of ghee, rose flowers, churma and kheer, and sing bhajans. A simple chant is “Jai Shri Shyam” or “Om Shri Shyam Devaya Namah”. Because Barbarik is understood as a form through which Krishna is worshipped, Krishna devotion naturally accompanies it. See stories of Lord Krishna and Krishna mantra meaning and practice.

What Barbarik’s story teaches

Barbarik’s tale holds an unusual lesson: unlimited power and good intentions can still produce disaster if they are not guided by wisdom. His vow to always help the weaker side sounds noble, but Krishna showed it would destroy everyone. Barbarik’s greatness lay in recognising this and surrendering — giving up his own part in the war and his very life. That surrender is why he is loved as the refuge of anyone who feels defeated. For a related figure of the epic, see Karna, another hero known for giving.