Discovery of Sheesh (Sacred Head) in Khatu
After the great battle of the Mahabharata, the sacred head (Sheesh) of Barbarika, also known as Shyam Baba, was buried in the village of Khatu in the Sikar district of Rajasthan. For a long period, the exact location of the buried head remained unknown, even after the beginning of the Kaliyuga.
According to legend, one day a miraculous event occurred near the present Khatu Shyam Ji Temple. A cow grazing in the area suddenly began to release milk from her udder at a particular spot on the ground. Witnessing this divine incident, the villagers dug the place and discovered the sacred head of Barbarika.
The head was entrusted to a Brahmin, who worshipped it with devotion for several days. Later, Roopsingh Chauhan, the ruler of Khatu at that time, had a divine dream in which he was instructed to build a temple and install the sacred head there. Following this vision, a temple was constructed, and the idol was installed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. Since then, countless miracles have been associated with this holy place, and millions of devotees visit the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple every year.
The Sacred Story of Shyam Kund
Another version of the legend is closely associated with Shyam Kund. According to this belief, Roopsingh Chauhan’s wife, Narmada Kanwar, once had a divine dream in which Shyam Baba guided her to take his sacred form out of the earth. The location indicated in the dream was later excavated and is now known as Shyam Kund. From this holy pond, the idol emerged and was respectfully enshrined in the temple.
History of Khatu Shyam Ji Temple – Krishna as Shyam Baba
The original temple of Khatu Shyam Ji was built in 1027 AD by Roopsingh Chauhan and Queen Narmada Kanwar. Later, in 1720 AD, the temple was renovated by Diwan Abhaisingh under the guidance of the then ruler of Marwar. During this renovation, the temple acquired its present magnificent form, and the idol was placed in the sanctum sanctorum.
The idol, made of rare stone, represents only the sacred head (Sheesh) of Shyam Baba, which is believed to have appeared from the holy Shyam Kund. The temple is constructed from pure white Makrana marble and stands as a fine example of traditional Rajasthani architecture. Khatu Shyam Ji is regarded as the family deity by countless families across India.
Sacred Places to Visit Around Khatu Shyam Ji
Devotees visiting Khatu Shyam Ji often combine their pilgrimage with other nearby holy and historic sites, including:
The Holy Shyam Kund (0 km): where the sacred idol appeared
Gourishankar Temple (0km): Shiva temple
Mahalakshmi Temple (~22km): At Palsana bypass, Aloda road
Jeen Mata Temple (~25km): A hilltop shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga
Harshnath Temple (~30 km): A historic 10th-century temple situated on hill
Salasar Balaji Temple (~90 km): dedicated to Lord Hanuman
Ward no 2, police station road, VIP road,