It is said that Lord Krishna is Shri Khatushyam ji’s Kalyugi avatar. There is a huge temple in Sikar’s Rajasthani neighbourhood devoted to Shri Khatu Shyam ji. It is said that merely by getting God’s darshan here, every wish is fulfilled. On the Ekadashi day of Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month, people celebrate Khatushyam ji’s birth anniversary.This is a well-known temple in India. To receive Darshan from Shyam Baba, people from several states travel to this temple. You must participate in the Mangala Aarti held at the temple if you are planning a visit. The temple of Khatu Shyam ji is incredibly large. Since Khatu Shyamji is synonymous with Lord Krishna, he is worshipped similarly to the latter. As the Hindu equivalent of Barbarika, the son of Ghatotkacha, Khatushyam is revered. According to legend, at the beginning of the Kalyug, the head of Barbarik was found close to Khatu village in Sikar, Rajasthan.

There are reports that this amazing incident happened when a cow started spitting milk. This led to the discovery of Khatu Shyam’s head here during excavation. When Shri Krishna utilized Sudarshan to separate Barbarik’s head from his body, it was beneath the banyan tree in Beed hamlet in Hisar, the location where Khatu Shyam Baba’s torso is worshipped today. This temple is commonly known by its name, Shyam Baba.It might surprise you to learn that Bhima and Hidimba, the two most powerful of the five Pandavas, were Shyam Baba’s grandparents. For this reason, Shyam Baba resembled a lion as well. He was given the moniker Barbarik as a result. Barbarik’s worship to Shiva brought him three arrows. These arrows were unstoppable; they were incredible. Hence, Shyam Baba is often referred to as the “three wielders of arrows.” Barbarik had received a divine bow from Lord Agnidev, which allowed him to rule over all three worlds.

Barbarik began traveling to fight in the Mahabharata battle as soon as he learned about it. However, Barbarik’s mother accepted a pledge to back the loser. Shyam Baba has since been referred to as the missing people’s defender.Barbarik asked Shri Krishna, who was posing as a Brahmin, why he was only carrying three arrows for the battle when they were traveling. According to Barbarik, these arrows were so powerful that they could wipe out an entire army.So the Brahmin pointed to a Peepal tree and asked Barbarik to pierce all the leaves of the tree with an arrow. Barbarik meditated on God and released an arrow. That arrow pierced all the leaves of the Peepal tree and after that the arrow started revolving around the feet of Shri Krishna who became a Brahmin.Actually, Shri Krishna had hidden a leaf under his foot. Barbarik understood that the arrow was circling the Brahmin’s leg to pierce the same leaf. So Barbarik asked the Brahmin to remove his foot.

The Brahmin now enquired as to Barbarik’s side of the fight. Barbarik declared that he will fight the losing side in the conflict. When he heard this, Shri Krishna started to reflect. because Barbarika’s vow was known even to the Kauravas.The Kauravas were previously prepared to battle with a smaller force and lose on the first day. Barbarik will battle on their side and vanquish the Pandavas’ army in such a circumstance.Without wasting any time, Shri Krishna who later attained Brahmin status asked Barbarik to pledge a gift in such circumstances. Barbarik committed to giving. Barbarik was informed by the Brahmin that he was seeking a donation of Barbarik’s head.After becoming a Brahmin, Barbarik pleaded to Shri Krishna, asking him to fulfill his pledge to offer his head—but only after the Brahmin Dev appeared in his true form.

God, I will give you the head, but I want to see the battle with my own eyes, declared Barbarik. Barbarik was given a promise by Shri Krishna to fulfill.Next, using the nectar that the fourteen goddesses had given to him, Shri Krishna soaked Barbarik’s head and set it atop a hill close to the battleground. From there the scene of the savage war is visible. Krishna then burnt Barbarik’s body.And who will wear the crown of victory after the epic war of Mahabharata is over? Everyone began talking about this issue. Thus, after describing Barbarik as a wartime observer, Shri Krishna requested him to provide the response.

Barbarik stated that everything that contributed to the war’s victory was an illusion created by Shri Krishna, and that he alone deserves all the credit for the victory. Which made Shri Krishna happy. He then stated, “In the Kaliyuga, you will be worshipped as Krishna incarnate and grant the desires of your devotees.”According to the Mahabharata, Barbarik’s head was interred in Rajasthan’s Khatu Nagar. Barbarik ji’s name got well-known as Khatu Shyam Baba for this reason.