KHATU   SHYAM   FESTIVALS

In Khatu Shyam mandir mainly Fagotsav (Falgun Lakhi Mela), birth anniversary and Ekadashi and Dwadashi of every Shukla Paksha are celebrated as festivals. Birth anniversary is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi and Fagotsav (Falgun Lakhi Mela) is organized on Falgun Shukla Ekadashi. Apart from this, many other festivals are organized along with Ekadashi and Dwadashi of Shukla Paksha.

Falgun Mela is the biggest festival of Rajasthan. The head was revealed on Falgun Sudi Ekadashi, so the fair is actually organized from 9th to 12th of the same month. Special Nishan Yatra is organized during Phalgun fair. This holy journey starts from Ringus which is 19 km away from Khatu Dham. In this journey, the devotees of Shyam ji go to the temple with a Nishan (flag) in their hands. Special Bhajan Sandhyas are organized where famous bhajan singers come and provide spiritual entertainment to the devotees. Baba’s devotees get lost in devotion and also dance on DJ. Some devotees play with Gulal and relieve themselves in the spellbound prayer of Shyam Ji Baba. On the last day of the fair, special prasad of kheer and churma is made for Baba, which is later given to all the devotees.

Very pleased with the great sacrifice of Barbarik (Khatu Shyam), Shri Krishna gave a boon to Barbarik that in Kaliyuga you will be known as Shyam. After giving the boon, his head was buried in Khatu Nagar (present-day Sikar district of Rajasthan state), hence he is called Khatu Shyam Baba.It is believed that a cow used to come to that place every day and automatically flowed milk from her breasts. Later, when the place was excavated, a sheesh appeared there, which was handed over to a Brahmin for a few days.
Once the king of Khatu Nagar was inspired in a dream to build a temple and that head to beautify the temple. So the temple was built at that place and on the Ekadashi of the month of Kartik the head was decorated in the temple. That’s why the birthday of Shri Khatushyam ji is always celebrated on Devuthani Ekadashi.The birth anniversary of Shri Khatushyam ji is celebrated with great pomp every year on Dev Uthani Ekadashi of Kartik Shukla Paksha.Bathing of Shri Shyam Baba Baba Shyam is decorated by the Shri Shyam Temple Committee with gajras made of various types of flowers including rose, champa, jasmine after getting Baba Shyam bathed with the perfume of the soul. Devotees offer mawa cake to Babashyam.
The temple is decorated with colorful balloons and Baba’s birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm and pomp. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the devotees regarding Babashyam’s birthday in Khatunagi. Mawa Mishri cake is ready in the market. Different types of cakes and chocolates are offered to Shyambhakt Baba to please him.

In the month of Falgun, at the time of Lakkhi fair, on the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha, Baba Shyam goes on a city tour in the form of Rath Yatra to give darshan to the devotees.

There is only one day in the whole year when you can see Baba Shyam outside the temple also. Except this day, devotees have to go to the temple for Baba’s darshan on all other days.

Ekadashi has great importance in Hindu religion. There are two Ekadashi in every month. Which is called ‘Ekadashi’, the eleventh date after ten days of full moon and new moon. Among all the fasts, the fast of Ekadashi is considered the most ancient. There are two Ekadashis in every month and there are 24 Ekadashis every year, but when Adhikamas or Malmas comes, their number increases to 26 Ekadashis.According to the Hindu calendar, a day is called Tithi. There are 30 Tithis in each month. Which is divided into two parts, Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. Shukla Paksha When the size of the moon starts increasing gradually, it is called Shukla Paksha.Full moon comes after Shukla Paksha ends. Similarly, when the size of the moon starts decreasing in the Krishna Paksha, it is called Krishna Paksha, after it ends, there is a new moon. Ekadashi also continues on the basis of these aspects. Maximum devotees come to visit Baba on Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha.