Khatushyam, Hindu temple in Khatu, Rajasthan, India
Khatushyam is a white marble shrine in Khatu, Rajasthan, India, dedicated to Barbareek, a warrior from the Mahabharata epic. The walls display fine stonework, while the structure carries arches, pillars, and domes in Rajasthani style.
Roop Singh Chauhan and his wife Narmada Kanwar built the first structure in 1027 after a farmer reportedly discovered the warrior's head in his field. The Marwar ruler ordered restoration in the 18th century when the shrine had fallen into disrepair.
The site takes its name from Khatushyam, linking Shyam, another name for Krishna, to the warrior honored here. Pilgrims come to pray before the image and raise red flags they bring as a sign of devotion, hanging them throughout the temple grounds.
Buses run regularly from Shrimadhopur, Sikar, and Jaipur to the shrine, located roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Jaipur Airport. Visitors should wear modest clothing and remove their shoes before entering the inner areas.
The shrine houses what devotees believe to be the head of Barbareek, which he offered to Krishna before the Kurukshetra battle. Krishna reportedly promised the warrior that he would be worshipped under the name Shyam, and many pilgrims today still carry that name.
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