Who is Khatu Shyam Ji? Barbarika’s Story Explained (खाटू श्याम जी कौन हैं)

Khatu Shyam Ji (खाटू श्याम जी) is Barbarika (बर्बरीक), a warrior from the Mahabharata age who gave his own head to Lord Krishna before the Kurukshetra war. Pleased by this sacrifice, Krishna blessed him to be worshipped in Kaliyug by Krishna’s own name, “Shyam”. Today he is worshipped as a form of Krishna at the Khatu Shyam temple in Sikar district, Rajasthan.

The story of Barbarika in short

A powerful grandson of Bhima. Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha, and so the grandson of Bhima and Hidimba. His mother is named Maurvi (मौरवी) in the tradition; the Skanda Purana calls her Kamakantakata. He learned warfare from his mother and, after long devotion to the goddess, received three arrows that could decide the result of any war on their own. That is why devotees call him तीन बाणधारी (the bearer of three arrows).

A promise to his mother. When the Kurukshetra war was announced, Barbarika set out to see it and take part. Folk tradition says his mother asked him to promise that he would always fight for the side that is losing. He agreed. This promise is the root of his most famous name, “हारे का सहारा” — the support of those who have lost.

Krishna’s test. On the way, Krishna met him disguised as a Brahmin and asked how he would fight the war with only three arrows. According to the popular story, Barbarika showed that a single arrow could mark every leaf of a peepal tree, including one leaf Krishna had hidden under his foot.

Why Krishna asked for his head. Krishna understood what the promise meant. Whichever side Barbarika joined would start winning, so his vow would force him to switch to the other side again and again, until no one was left except him. To prevent this, Krishna asked him for a charity (daan): his head.

The gift of his head. Barbarika gave his head without hesitation. That is why he is called शीश के दानी (the giver of his head). He asked to see the whole war, so his head was placed on a hilltop from where he watched the battle. Pleased with this sacrifice, Krishna gave him the boon that in Kaliyug he would be worshipped by the name “Shyam”, and would support every devotee who calls him with a true heart.

Read the full story in Hindi: खाटू श्याम जी की संपूर्ण कथा · the Purana version: स्कंद पुराण में श्याम बाबा की कथा · the Krishna connection: खाटू श्याम जी और कृष्ण का संबंध.

How did Barbarika become “Khatu” Shyam?

According to tradition, after the war the head was buried in the land of Khatu village. Centuries later, a cow began to pour its milk on one spot by itself. When the ground was dug, the sheesh (head) was found there. That spot is today’s Shyam Kund.

Tradition dates the first temple to 1027 CE, built by the local ruler Roopsingh Chauhan after instructions received in a dream. The present temple is built of Makrana marble in Rajasthani style. Because the head is worshipped here, the deity became known as Khatu Shyam. More: temple history · temple architecture.

Is Khatu Shyam Ji the same as Krishna?

In worship, yes: devotees see Khatu Shyam Ji as a Kaliyug form of Shri Krishna, because Krishna gave Barbarika his own name and his blessing. The shringar (decoration) of Baba Shyam also uses Krishna’s symbols, such as the peacock feather. In the story itself, though, they are two different persons: Krishna asked for the head, and Barbarika gave it.

Is Barbarika in the Mahabharata?

The main text of the Mahabharata does not tell Barbarika’s story. His story is found mainly in the Kaumarika Khanda of the Skanda Purana and in the folk tradition of Rajasthan. Some details, such as his mother’s promise and the peepal-leaf test, come from this folk tradition and vary from region to region.

Names of Khatu Shyam Ji and what they mean

All names with meanings: 11 names · 108 names.

How devotees worship Khatu Shyam Ji

• Ekadashi: every Ekadashi — above all the Shukla Ekadashi — is a special day at Khatu, with very large crowds. See the Ekadashi calendar.
• Nishan Yatra: devotees walk to the temple carrying a saffron flag (nishan), most often the 17 km from Ringas. See Nishan Yatra.
• Aarti: five aartis daily — Mangala 4:45 AM, Shringar 7:15 AM, Bhog 12:30 PM, Sandhya 7:15 PM and Shayan 9:45 PM (as per the temple committee board). Lyrics: खाटू श्याम जी की आरती.
• Chalisa and mantra: Khatu Shyam Chalisa · mantras.
• Festivals: Shyam Janmotsav (birthday) — 20 November 2026 and the Falgun Mela, 18–20 March 2027, the biggest fair of the year.

Visiting the Khatu Shyam temple

The temple is in Khatu village, Sikar district, Rajasthan. The nearest railway station is Ringas Junction (17 km); Jaipur is about 80 km and Delhi about 283 km by road. Darshan hours are 4:30 AM to 10 PM, with the doors closed from 2 to 4 PM; timings can change on Ekadashi and festivals. Darshan is free. You can also watch today’s live darshan online.

Plan your trip: complete Khatu Shyam Ji guide · how to reach · hotels · dharamshalas · photos of Baba Shyam.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Khatu Shyam Ji? खाटू श्याम जी कौन हैं?

Khatu Shyam Ji is Barbarika (बर्बरीक), the grandson of Bhima and son of Ghatotkacha, worshipped as a form of Shri Krishna. He gave his head to Krishna before the Kurukshetra war and received the boon of being worshipped as “Shyam” in Kaliyug. His main temple is at Khatu in Sikar district, Rajasthan.

Is Khatu Shyam Ji the same as Lord Krishna?

Devotees worship Khatu Shyam Ji as a Kaliyug form of Krishna, because Krishna gave Barbarika his own name “Shyam”. In the story, however, they are two different persons: Barbarika is the warrior who offered his head, and Krishna is the one who asked for it.

Is Barbarika mentioned in the Mahabharata?

Not in the main text of the Mahabharata. His story comes mainly from the Kaumarika Khanda of the Skanda Purana and from Rajasthani folk tradition, on which the Khatu devotional tradition is based.

Why is he called “Hare Ka Sahara”?

Tradition says Barbarika promised his mother he would always fight for the losing side. So devotees call him “हारे का सहारा” — the support of those who have lost.

Why is only the head (sheesh) worshipped at Khatu?

Because Barbarika donated his head to Krishna. Tradition holds that the head was later found at Shyam Kund in Khatu village, and the temple worships this sheesh form. That is why he is also called “शीश के दानी” (the giver of his head).

When is Khatu Shyam Ji’s birthday?

Shyam Janmotsav is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani Ekadashi). In 2026 it falls on Friday, 20 November 2026.

Where is the Khatu Shyam temple and how do I reach it?

The temple is in Khatu village, Sikar district, Rajasthan. The nearest railway station is Ringas (17 km); Jaipur is about 80 km and Delhi about 283 km by road.

Sources: Skanda Purana (Kaumarika Khanda) as retold in the Khatu devotional tradition; Wikipedia (Barbarika, Khatu Shyam Temple); Shri Shyam Mandir Committee notice board (temple timings, September 2026). Some story details differ between regions and families.