Festivals of Khatu shyam ji

Observances and festivals:-

Barbarika is worshiped as Shyam, he is not the supreme personality of godhead Sri krishna. Or any of krishna's incarnation but maybe considerd as the great devotee of Krishna. And since the glories of krishna's devotee is more than krishna himself people worships khatushyam also. Therefore, the flavour of the festivities reflects the playful and vibrant nature of Krishna. The festivals of Krishna Janmashtmi, Jhool Jhulani Ekadashi, Holi and Vasant Panchmi are celebrated with gusto in the temple. The Phalguna Mela detailed below is the principal annual festival.

Janmashtmi

Vasant Panchmi

Lacs of devotees visit the temple every day. Newly married couples come to pay homage and newborn babies are brought to the temple for their mundan (the first hair-shaving) ceremony. An elaborate aarti is performed at the temple five times a day. These are:

 Mangala Aarti:- performed in the early morning, when temple is open.

 Shringaar Aarti:- performed at the time of make-up of Baba Shyam. The idol is grandly ornamented for this aarti.

Bhog Aarti:- performed at noon when bhog (Prasadam) is served to the Lord.

Sandhya Aarti:- performed in the evening, at sunset.

Two special hymns, the "Shri Shyam Aarti" and the "Shri Shyam Vinati," are chanted on all these occasions. The Shyam mantra is another litany of the Lord's names that is chanted by devotees.

Other particular observances include:-

Shukla Ekadashi and Dwadashi:- The 11th and 12th days of the bright half of every month in the Hindu calendar is of special significance to the temple. This is because Barbarika was born on the 11th day of the bright half of the month of Kartika, and he donated his head (Sheesh) to Krishna on the 12th day of the bright half of the month of phaagun on Tuesday. Darshan on these two days is therefore considered auspicious and devotees come in their thousands every month. The temple remains open throughout the night that falls between these days. Night-long Bhajan sessions are organised since devotees traditionally pass the night in singing the praises of the Lord. Devotees organise Bhajan programmes and invite Bhajan singers to sing devotional songs.

Bathing in the Shyam Kund:- This is the holy pond near the temple from which the idol was retrieved. It is believed that a dip in this pond cures a person from ailments and brings good health. Filled with devotional fervor, people take ritual dips in the Shyam Kund. They believe that this will relieve them of diseases and contagion. Bathing during the annual Phalguna Mela festival is deemed specially salutary.

Nishan Yatra:- It is believed that your wishes are granted if you offer a Nishan at the temple. A Nishan is a triangular flag of a particular size, made of cloth, which is hoisted on a bamboo stick. It is carried in one's hands while covering the route from the town of Ringas to Khatu (17 km) on (bare) foot. Nishans are offered in millions during the Phalguna Mela.

Phalgun Mela:- The most important festival associated with the temple is the Phalgun Mela which occurs just 8–9 days before from the festival of Holi. Barbarika's head appeared on Phalguna Shuddha Ekadashi, the 11th day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Phalguna. Therefore, the fair is held from the 9th to the 12th of that month. The fair has now been extended to nearly 12–15 days of the bright half of the Phalguna Month.

Khatushyamji Rath idol during Pad Yatra from Kota to Khatushyamji in 2008

On this holy occasion pilgrims all over the country come here 

on foot with nishanaas (holy mark - flags) in their hands. People enjoy their holy journey by 

singing shyam bhajans and playing various musical 

instruments. They enjoy the journey by playing holi with gulal.

 Many Shyam Bhaktas supply food to pedestrians in the 

shade of tents. They encourage also to complete their 

journey with full enthusiasm. They enjoy this occasion as the marriage of Khatushyamji. People enjoy the mela by 

purchasing various things. On Dwadashi (= 12th day of

 month), Bhog is being prepared as Baba's Prasadi of Kheer, Churama.

Special arrangements for security are made to control the crowd. Around 500,000 people visit in three days of this holy mela in this small village. To briefly see Baba Shyam's idol, a very tight security is made with the help of bamboo fence around 2 kilometres (1.2 mi).