According to Hindu mythology, before the battle of Mahabharata began, the prowess of Barbarika was said to be unmatched. He had decided to favour the weaker side so he could remain just, a decision which would have resulted in the complete annihilation of both sides, leaving only Barbarika as the sole survivor. It is said that Shree Krishna, to avoid such devastating results, asked Barbarika for his head (sheesh daan), to which he readily agreed. Shree Krishna was extremely happy with the devotion shown to him, and by the great sacrifice of Barbarika that he granted him a boon, according to which Barbarika would be known by Krishna’s own name, Shyam Ji in the kaliyug (present times) and would be worshipped in his own form.

After the battle, Shree Krishna blessed Barbarika’s head and drowned it in the Rupawati River. Once the kaliyug began, the head was found buried in the village of Khatu in Rajasthan, at a location that was unseen until the kaliyug began. It was when a cow was crossing the burial point that her udders started spouting milk spontaneously. Surprised villagers dug the place and that was when the buried head was revealed. Roopsingh Chauhan, the then-king of Khatu, had a dream where he was asked to install the head inside a temple. This was when the temple was built and the head installed inside it.

Built with white marble, the temple is truly an architectural wonder. Apart from being a popular destination amongst devotees, many people visit the temple to gaze with wonder at the beauty of the structure. The large prayer hall is named Jagmohan and is surrounded by walls that depict elaborately painted mythological scenes. While the entrance and exit gates are made of marble, with marble brackets that feature ornamental floral designs, the shutters of the sanctum sanctorum are covered with a beautiful silver sheet that adds to the grandeur of the temple.

Near the temple is a holy pond called the Shyam Kund. It is said that this is the point from where the head of Khatu Shyam Ji was retrieved. A popular belief among devotees is that a dip in this pond can cure a person from their ailments and bring them good health. With devotional fervour, people taking ritual dips in the pond are not an uncommon sight. It is also believed that bathing at the Shyam Kund during the Phalguna Mela Festival, which is held every year, is especially salutary.

There are 5 aartis that are performed daily at the Khatu Shyam Ji mandir. The devotional ambiance and the serenity brought forth by the chanting and the aarti is incomparable, and if you were to plan a visit to this beautiful temple, you should try to attend one of these aartis.
Mangala Aarti: This is performed early in the morning when the temple opens its gates to the devotees.
Shringaar Aarti: As the name suggests, this is the time when the Khatu Shyam Ji’s idol is grandly ornamented, accompanied by an aarti.
Bhog Aarti: The third aarti of the day, it is performed at noon when bhog or prasadam is served to the lord.
Sandhya Aarti: This aarti is performed in the evening, at the time of the sunset.
Sayana Aarti: Before the temple is closed for the night, sayana aarti is performed.
There are two special hymns that are chanted at all these times. These are the Shri Shyam Aarti and the Shri Shyam Vinati.

Winters: The temple is open from 5.30 am to 1.00 pm and from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Summers: The temple is open from 4.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm

Khatu Shyam Mandir is easily accessible via road and train. The nearest railway station to the temple is Ringas Junction (RGS), which is about 17 km away from the temple. You find a number of cabs and jeeps (private or shared), waiting right outside the station to take you to the temple. There are a number of trains that run from Delhi and from Jaipur towards Ringas that you can opt to board. The nearest airport is the Jaipur International Airport, which is about 80 km from the temple, from where you can travel via road to the temple. The best route is via Sawai jai Singh Highway to the Jaipur- Sikar Roads to the Agra-Bikaner Road, which is also known as NH 11. There are also several private and government buses that run between Jaipur and Khatu. However, there are no reserved seats available on these buses. From Khatu bus stop, you can take an auto- rickshaw to the temple.