KhatuShyamji Temple: Legend of Barbarika(Sri Shyambaba Ji) and History of Shri Khatu Shyam Baba Ji Mandir, Sikar, Rajasthan

Shri Khatu Shyam Baba  Mandir is the abode of "Sri Shyam Baba Ji" in the village of Khatu in Sikar district, Rajasthan. Shri Khatu Shyam Ji is considered to be the god of Kaliyuga and He is synonymous with Lord Sri Krishna.

Legend(Story) of the Barbareek(as Shri Shyam Baba Ji):

Barbareek or Barbarika is the grandson of Bhima and son of Ghatotkacha. It is believed that Lord Sri Krishna blessed Barbareek during Mahabharata battle that he will be worshipped like Sri Krishna as "Shri Shyam Baba Ji" in Kali Yuga. After the Mahabharata battle, Barbarika’s head (Sheesh) was buried in Khatu village in Sikar District, Rajasthan. The location was obscured until well after the Kaliyuga period began. On one time, milk was started flowing suddenly out of a cow’s udder when she neared the burial spot. The local villagers dug the spot and found the buried head of Barbarik. The head was handed over to a Brahmin who worshipped it for many days. 

History of the Temple:

A temple was built and the idol(head of Barbarik) was installed on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the month of Karthika. Roopsingh Chauhan, king of that time of Khatu Village, was motivated to build this temple and set up the head there. After building this temple countless miracles done here and a lot of bhagats come to observe this khatu shyam ji temple. The original temple was built in 1027 AD by Roopsingh Chauhan and his wife Narmada Kanwar. In 1720 AD, a nobleman known as Diwan Abhaisingh renovated the old temple, at the behest of the then ruler of Marwar. 

The temple took its present shape at this time and the idol was enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum. The idol is made of rare stone. The temple is constructed of pure white Makrana marble and is an example of unique architecture.

Shri Khatu Shyam Ji is the family God(deity) of a large number of families in the area of Khatu. 

Other Temples in and around Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple, Sikar:

1. The Gopinath temple lies to the south- east of the main temple. 
2. The Gaurishankar temple,
3. Jeen Mata Mandir and
4. Harsh Nath Temple(Harsh Giri Mandir)