DN Darshan: Khatu Shyam Mandir and Phalguna Mela

Stuti Tibrewal
Jaipur / 22 Feb 2016. Khatu Shyam Mandir, located around 80 Kms from Jaipur in Rajasthan, is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus. Khatu Shyam (Barbarik) devotees believe that he removes their troubles if they take his name with a pure heart.

The Legend
Before the great battle of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna in the guise of a Brahmin met the great warrior Barbarik who had vowed to help the weaker side in the battle. Yet, whichever side he would fight for, would in turn make the other side weaker and then Barbarik would have to fight for the opposite side, so on and so forth, until finally both sides would be eliminated. Envisioning the consequence of Barbarik’s vow, Lord Krishna asked for the great warrior’s head in charity. In return, Lord Krishna, had given him the blessing that he would be known as Shyam (Krishna’s own name) in Kaliyug. That is why, only the head is visible in all the Khatu Shyam temples. 

Phalgun Mela 
It is said that Barbarik had given his head on the twelveth day of the brighter half of the month of Phalgun (Phalgun Shukla Paksha Dwadashi). Lakhs of Devotees visit Khatu Shyam Temple during this time to offer puja. Festivities start 15 days ahead. There is virtually no vacant space in the town during this period. There is celebration and festivity in the moods of the devotees who wait for hours in long serpentine queues for a moment's glance of the deity. The whole town, along with the temple, is illuminated. Singers from all over the country come here to perform Bhajans on this holy occasion. Special arrangements are made for feeding the devotees in almost all the Dharamshalas and rest-houses. Special trains and buses operate during the mela. The government of Rajasthan takes care of the law and order during the fair.

How to reach
By Air
The nearest airport to the Khatu Shyam Mandir is Jaipur International Airport, followed by Delhi Airport. 

By Train
The closest railway station is Ringas, at a distance of 17 km from the mandir, followed by Jaipur railways station at a distance of 80 km. 

By Road
The Khatu Shyam Mandir is located at a distance of 80 km from Jaipur and can be reached by car, hired taxis or jeeps. After reaching Jaipur, travel across 63 kms to reach Ringas which is only 17 kms away from the Mandir.