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Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Manali Address: Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, 175131, India
The Khatu Shyam Ji temple in Manali is situated near the Hidimba Devi temple. Unlike the name suggests, the temple has nothing to do with Lord Krishna, who is popularly known as Shyam. The temple is dedicated to Barbarik, son of Ghatotkach and the grandson of Hidimba Devi, the demon goddess, who was Bhima’s wife from the famous Hindu epic Mahabharata.
The temple is located near DPS school in Dhungri village, Old Manali, at a close proximity to the famous Hidimba Devi temple. The temple was built by the local community at Dhungri.
Legend and History of Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Manali
Who is Khatu Shyam or Barbarik?
The real name of Khatu Shyam is Barbarik, who was the grandson of Bhima, the second Pandav of Mahabharat fame and son of Ghatotkacha (son of Bhima and the tribal demon princess, Hidimba). He is known to be a legendary warrior who carried a bow with 3 arrows that could finish any war within minutes of it being hurled.
The first arrow would determine people who needed to be protected, the second arrow would determine people that needed to be killed and the third arrow would finally kill each person that needed to be killed. Barbarik had sacrificed his head on Lord Krishna’s request right before the Mahabharata war began at Kurukshetra.
Why did Barbarik or Khatu Shyam sacrifice his head?
Legend has it that Barbarik was raised with the ideology that the defeated should be supported by the brave ones. He was taught to support the defeated by his mother, Maurvi (Ghatotkach’s wife). Because of this, he was fondly called as ‘Haare ka Sahara’ which literally translates to the one who supports the defeated. Being a mother’s son, Barbarik lived by her advice his entire life and when it came to participating in the Kurukshetra war, he was absolutely delighted.
Before reaching Kurukshetra, he met Lord Krishna on his way and Kirishna, famous for his strategic moves, wanted to see the power of Barbarik’s triple arrows. Seeing the prowess of his triple arrows, Krishna felt worried since Barbarik would switch sides every day during the entire course of the war as he would fight from the side of the defeated thereby being left as the only survivor. Hence, Krishna wanted Barbarik to either stay away from participating in the war or be stopped anyhow.
As a result, Krishna eventually decided to ask Barbarik's head as a sacrifice that was required to begin the war, as war rituals demanded the sacrifice of a brave warrior’s head. Barbarik readily agreed to offer his head for sacrifice only in return, he asked Krishna that he be able to witness the entire war as his last wish. Krishna placed his sacrificed head on top of a mountain and Barbarik was able to see the Mahabharat war unfold in front of his eyes.
How did Barbarik come to be known as Khatu Shyam?
It is said that, when asked at the end of war who had eventually won the war, to which Barbarik replied that it was Krishna who won the war and everyone else was just acting as per his wishes.
Pleased with his dedication, Krishna blessed him and mentioned that he would be known by one of Krishna’s names in Kaliyug. Krishna then offered Barbarik’s head to the Rupavati River (in current day Gujarat), which apparently was carried along with the river currents and got buried at Khatu village in Sikar district of Rajasthan in India hence, that is how Barbarik got his name Khatu Shyam.
Image Gallery of Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Manali
Architecture of Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Manali
The Khatu Shyam Temple of Manali is built on a raised stone platform.
The temple structure is built in typical pent roofed styled rectangular structure with slanting wooden roof covered with tin keeping the climatic conditions of the region in mind. The main temple building is made of stone walls with wooden doors and windows. The outer verandah is lined by intricately carved wooden pillars that surround the structure which also support the roof.
The door and windows of the temple are lined with wooden panels with intricate designs. The window panel has idols of Hidimba Devi and Khatu Shyam sculpted on them. The outer edge of the roof of the temple is lined by wooden chimes, a typical feature of the majority of Himachali temples.
The idol of the deity is made of black stone and resides in the sanctum sanctorum, decorated with bright clothes and flowers.
Entry Fee and Timings of Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Manali
The Khatu Shyam temple is open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM all days of the week. There is no entry fee to visit it.
How to reach Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Manali
As the Khatu Shyam Temple is located in old Manali, very near to the famous and most revered Hidimba Devi Temple within the Dhungri village, it is easily accessible to everyone. Reaching Manali is easy since it is well connected to major parts of the country via all modes of transportation, especially road and air. The major cities and hubs nearest to Manali are Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Leh, Kullu and Dharmashala. One can reach these places via railways or airways and travel on road further to reach Manali.
By Bus: This is the most economical mode of travel and the quickest way to reach Manali from Delhi, and Chandigarh. The state run HRTC buses run frequently between Delhi (ISBT Kashmere Gate) and Manali as well as between Chandigarh (ISBT Sector 43) and Manali. You may also opt for private Volvo buses from both cities. The travel time from Delhi to Manali is around 12- 13 hours and from Chandigarh to Manali is around 8 – 9 hours at a ticket price of INR 1200- 1500 for private Volvo bus and INR 800 for an ordinary state bus. You may book your tickets in advance through Red Bus or on the HRTC website.
By Road: The road from Delhi to Manali offers some amazing views and if you are willing to ride your bike or drive your own vehicle, nothing like it.
By Train: There is no direct train to Manali except that, you may travel by train till Shimla and complete the rest of the journey to Manali via road by private/shared cab or, you may also hop on to a bus (both state run, and private buses are available). The travel time from Shimla to Manali is 6 – 7 hours.
By Flight: The nearest airport to Manali is Kullu Manali Airport in Bhuntar. You may book a private cab from top car rental companies in Manali to your destination in Manali, which is just 49 kilometers from Bhuntar. Alternatively, you may also opt to take a flight either till Delhi or Chandigarh and cover the rest of the journey on road.
Places to visit near Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Manali
Hidimba Devi Temple, Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art, Ghatotkach Tree Temple, Siyali Mahadev Temple, Himalayan Nyinmapa Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, Manu Temple, Dhungri Van Vihar.
Manali is a popular hill station in North India that is rich in history and there is no better way to explore it than availing of our all-inclusive Manali tour packages. We at Manali Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, present a variety of packages that cater to everyone’s varied holiday needs and other requirements. You can also take the assistance of our travel experts in creating an itinerary of your choice that helps you cover the must-visit sightseeing places in Manali. To know more, please fill the Contact Us form.
