Khatu Shyam Ji Janmotsav is an annual festival held on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) in the Hindu month of Kartik. This year, it will be celebrated on November 12, 2024. Khatu Shyam, often considered a beloved form of Lord Krishna, is highly revered in northern India. He is worshiped as a god known for compassion, sacrifice, and granting miraculous blessings. His main temple, located in Khatu village in the Sikar district of Rajasthan, attracts millions of devotees every year.
Khatu Shyam Ji?
Khatu Shyam Ji, also called Barbarika, is a Hindu god thought to be the son of Ghatotkacha. He is very important in western India, especially in Rajasthan, and is seen as the god of the current age, Kaliyuga. People who worship him believe that sincere prayers for him can bring good luck and solve problems. People in Gujarat revere Baliyadev, also known as Khatushyamji, for his sacrifice before the great war of Mahabharata.
Story of Khatu Shyam Ji
Barbarik was the greatest archer in the world. He only needed three arrows to defeat both Kauravas and Pandavas. On the battlefield, Barbarik, who was Bhima’s grandson, stood under a peepal tree in the middle of the two armies and said he would join the side that was losing. This made Krishna worried.
When Arjun and Lord Krishna went to see Barbarik’s amazing skills, Barbarik showed just a little bit of his bravery. Krishna asked if he could shoot one arrow through all the leaves on the tree. Barbarik agreed and let the arrow fly.
As the arrow went through each leaf, one leaf broke and fell. Krishna stepped on that leaf, thinking it would be safe, but the arrow stopped near his foot. Barbarik then said, “Lord, there’s a leaf under your foot. Please move it, because I told the arrow to only go through leaves, not your foot.”
Seeing this, Krishna became concerned. He knew that Barbarik had promised to help the side that was losing. If Kauravas seemed to be losing, Barbarik would help them, which would be bad for the Pandavas. If Pandavas seemed to be losing, Barbarik would help them instead. Either way, he could destroy both armies with just one arrow.
One morning, Lord Krishna disguised himself as a Brahmin and went to Barbarik’s camp, asking for donations. Barbarik asked the Brahmin what he wanted. Krishna, pretending to be a Brahmin, said that Barbarik wouldn’t be able to give it. Barbarik fell into Krishna’s plan, and Krishna asked for his head.
Barbarik willingly gave his head to help his grandfather Pandavas win. Lord Krishna, witnessing Barbarik’s sacrifice, bestowed upon him the blessing of future worship under his own name. Today, people worship Barbarik as Khatu Shyam. Khatu is the name of the place where Krishna kept Barbarik’s head.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Khatu Shyam Ji
- Khatu Shyam Ji means Ma Saivyaam Parajeet: Meaning one who gives strength to the defeated and disappointed people.
- People consider Khatu Shyam Ji Baba the best archer in the world, second only to Shri Ram.
- Devotees celebrate Khatushyam Ji’s birth anniversary with great pomp every year on Devuthani Ekadashi of Kartik Shukla Paksha.
- Khatu’s Shyam Mandir, though very ancient, had its present temple’s foundation laid in 1720. Pandit Jhabarmall Sharma, the historian, states that Aurangzeb’s army destroyed this temple in 1679. Many Rajputs sacrificed their lives to protect the temple at that time.
- The Khatu Shyam temple hosts the famous fair of Baba Khatu Shyam on its premises. This fair runs from Shukla Shashthi to Baras of the Hindu month of Falgun. Gyaras is a special day of the fair.
- Barbarik was a follower of the Goddess. As a gift from the Goddess, he received three magical arrows that would hit their target and return to him. Because of this, Barbarik was unbeatable.
- People believe that Barbarik spent the night singing hymns when Lord Krishna asked for his head. On the day of Falgun Shukla Dwadashi, he bathed, prayed, and then cut off his own head with his hands, giving it to Lord Krishna.
- Before donating his head, Barbarik expressed his desire to see the Mahabharata war. Then Lord Krishna placed his head in a high place and gave him the vision to observe it.
- Lord Krishna declared that in Kaliyuga, people would worship you in His name, and the mere remembrance of you would bring welfare to your devotees.
- After the dream visions, Baba Shyam appeared from Shyam Kund situated in Khatu Dham, and gave darshan in the temple form of Shri Krishna Shaligram.
Also Read: Dev Uthani Ekadashi 2024: Significance, Puja Vidhi, and Auspicious Timings
Khatu Shyam Ji Birthday Dates 2024
| Year | Khatu Shyam Ji’s Birthday Date |
| 2024 | November 12 |
| 2025 | November 1 |
| 2026 | November 20 |
Khatu Shyam Ji Ekadashi Dates 2024
| Ekadashi | Date |
| Devuthani Ekadashi | 12 November 2024 |
| Utpanna Ekadashi | 26 November 2024 |
| Mokshada Ekadashi | 11 December 2024 |
| Saphala Ekadashi | 26 December 2024 |
Khatu Shyam Ji Ekadashi Dates 2025
| Ekadashi | Dates |
| Paush Putrada Ekadashi | 10 January 2025 |
| Shattila Ekadashi | 25 January 2025 |
| Jaya Ekadashi | 8 February 2025 |
| Vijaya Ekadashi | 24 February 2025 |
| Amalaki Ekadashi | 10 March 2025 |
| Papmochani Ekadashi | 25 March 2025 |
| Kamada Ekadashi | 8 April 2024 |
| Baruthini Ekadashi | 24 April 2025 |
| Mohini Ekadashi | 8 May 2025 |
| Apara Ekadashi | 23 May 2025 |
| Nirjala Ekadashi | 6 June 2025 |
| Vaishnava Nirjala Ekadashi | 7 June 2025 |
| Yogini Ekadashi | 21 June 2025 |
| Gauna Yogini Ekadashi | 22 June 2025 |
| Devshayani Ekadashi | 6 July 2025 |
| Kamika Ekadashi | 21 July 2025 |
| Shravan Putrada Ekadashi | 5 August 2025 |
| Aja Ekadashi | 19 August 2025 |
| Parivartini Ekadashi | 3 September 2025 |
| Indira Ekadashi | 17 September 2025 |
| Papankusha Ekadashi | 3 October 2025 |
| Rama Ekadashi | 17 October 2025 |
| Devuthani Ekadashi | 1 November 2025 |
| Utpana Ekadashi | 15 November 2025 |
| Mokshada Ekadashi | 1 December 2025 |
| Saphala Ekadashi | 15 December 2025 |
| Pausha Putrada Ekadashi | 30 December 2025 |
Also Read: Also Read: Khatu Shyam Birthday 2024: Experience the Magic of Kartik Mahotsav
