A puja of surrender
Khatu Shyam Baba is Barbarik, who gave his head to Krishna and received Krishna's name in return. His worship is warm, personal and full of song, and its spirit is surrender: the devotee comes as one who has lost, to Haare ka Sahara, the support of the defeated. No elaborate rite is needed. A clean place, a lamp, a few offerings and a heart that says "Jai Shri Shyam" are the whole of it.
When to do it
- Every Shukla Ekadashi: Baba's special day. Many devotees fast, and go for darshan on Dwadashi.
- The Phalgun mela: the great Khatu fair in the bright half of Phalgun, peaking on Ekadashi and Dwadashi.
- Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani Ekadashi), observed as Baba's birthday at Khatu.
- Any evening at home, especially when facing a difficulty.
What you will need
- A picture of Shyam Baba (his head, crowned with peacock feathers)
- A ghee lamp and incense
- Roses or a rose garland, and ittar (perfume)
- Paan, supari and elaichi, the traditional offerings named in the Shyam Stuti
- Naivedya: churma (his best-known bhog), kheer, or any sweet; raw milk is also offered
- A tulsi or sandalwood mala
- A small saffron flag (nishan) if you have vowed one
Step by step
- Prepare. Bathe, wear clean clothes, and clean the shrine. Sit facing east or north.
- Ganesh first. Offer a flower to Ganesha.
- Sankalpa. With water in your right hand, say your name and what you are bringing to Baba, then let the water fall. If you are keeping the Ekadashi fast, make that resolve now.
- Stuti. Sing the Shri Shyam Stuti, "Haath jod vinti karun", to invite him.
- Adorn. Offer the rose garland, apply a touch of ittar, and offer paan, supari and elaichi.
- Lamp and incense. Light the ghee lamp and show incense.
- Bhog. Offer the churma or kheer, and a glass of raw milk if you like.
- Mantra. Chant Om Shri Shyam Devaya Namah 108 times on the mala.
- Chalisa. Read the Khatu Shyam Chalisa.
- Aarti. Sing Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare.
- Close. Bow, call "Jai Shri Shyam", and share the prasad. On Ekadashi, break the fast on Dwadashi after the puja or after darshan.
The nishan and the walk to Khatu
Devotees who make a vow to Baba often offer a nishan, a saffron or coloured flag, at the temple. During the Phalgun mela, lakhs walk the roughly 17 km from Ringas to Khatu carrying the nishan, singing bhajans and chanting "Jai Shri Shyam". Before darshan, pilgrims bathe in the Shyam Kund, where the head was found.
Frequently asked questions
What bhog does Khatu Shyam like?
Churma is the offering most associated with him, along with kheer and raw milk. Paan, supari, elaichi and ittar are offered as in the Shyam Stuti, and roses are his favourite flower.
Why is Ekadashi Shyam Baba's day?
Every Shukla Ekadashi is kept as his special day, and the great Phalgun mela peaks on Ekadashi and Dwadashi. Devotees fast on Ekadashi and take darshan on Dwadashi.
Can I worship Khatu Shyam without going to Khatu?
Yes. Most devotees worship him at home most of the time, with a picture, a lamp, the stuti, the mantra, the chalisa and the aarti. Darshan at Khatu is a pilgrimage made when possible, not a condition of devotion.
Which mantra is chanted for Khatu Shyam?
Om Shri Shyam Devaya Namah, 108 times, and the call "Jai Shri Shyam" at any time.
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