Khatu Shyam Baba Aarti

Khatu Shyam Baba, worshipped in the temple town of Khatu in Rajasthan's Sikar district, is the name given to Barbarik, the grandson of Bhima, whose selfless offer of his own head to Lord Krishna during the Mahabharata war made him immortal. Krishna, moved by his devotion, blessed him that in Kaliyug he would be worshipped under the name Shyam, and that anyone who came to him in defeat, sorrow or hopelessness would find support. This is why devotees call him 'Haare Ka Sahara' - the support of the one who has lost everything. His aarti is sung every evening in Khatu Dham and in Shyam temples across India, especially on Ekadashi and during the great Falgun Mela.

ॐ जय श्री श्याम हरे, स्वामी जय श्री श्याम हरे निज भक्तन के कारण, निज भक्तन के कारण, रूप कृष्ण का धरे ॐ जय श्री श्याम हरे

निष्कलंक शिरोमणि, निष्कलंक शिरोमणि, तीनों लोक में छाए बर्बरीक तनुधारी, बर्बरीक तनुधारी, हारे को हरि कहलाए ॐ जय श्री श्याम हरे

महाभारत के रण में, महाभारत के रण में, शीश किया था दान हारे का सहारा बनकर, हारे का सहारा बनकर, पाया कृष्ण से मान ॐ जय श्री श्याम हरे

खाटू धाम बिराजे, खाटू धाम बिराजे, बाबा श्याम कहाए लाखों भक्त संग आवें, लाखों भक्त संग आवें, फागुन मेला लगाए ॐ जय श्री श्याम हरे

नीले घोड़े के असवार, नीले घोड़े के असवार, हाथ में धनुष बाण भाल तिलक सजे प्यारे, भाल तिलक सजे प्यारे, शीश धरे मुकुट म्यान ॐ जय श्री श्याम हरे

दीन दुखी जन आवें, दीन दुखी जन आवें, तेरे दर पर श्याम मनवांछित फल पावें, मनवांछित फल पावें, पूर्ण होंय सब काम ॐ जय श्री श्याम हरे

धूप दीप नैवेद्य, धूप दीप नैवेद्य, भोग लगाऊं तोय श्याम बाबा की आरती, श्याम बाबा की आरती, जो कोई भक्त गाए सुख सम्पत्ति पाए, मन वांछित फल पाए ॐ जय श्री श्याम हरे

Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare - Victory to you, Lord Shyam. For the sake of your devotees you took the form that would forever remain a friend of the defeated.

You are without blemish, the crown jewel who fills all three worlds with your glory. As Barbarik you took a human body, and the one who is defeated finds in you the very face of Hari.

In the battlefield of the Mahabharata you offered your own head as a gift, becoming the support of the hopeless, and it was for this devotion that you earned the honour of Lord Krishna himself.

You reside in Khatu Dham and are called Baba Shyam. Lakhs of devotees gather there, especially during the great Falgun fair.

You ride a blue horse, bow and arrow in hand, a tilak shining on your forehead, a crown upon your head.

The poor and the sorrowful come to your door, O Shyam, and every wish of theirs is fulfilled.

With incense, lamp and offerings we worship you. Whoever sings this aarti of Baba Shyam attains happiness, prosperity and the fulfilment of every heartfelt wish.

The Khatu Shyam aarti is sung standing, facing the murti or a picture of Baba Shyam, after lighting a ghee diya and offering incense. Many devotees keep a thali with kumkum, rice, flowers, a bell and prasad (often batashe or peda). Ring a small bell gently while singing, and at the end circle the diya in a clockwise motion before the image, then touch your hands to the flame and to your eyes and forehead as a mark of receiving the divine light.

The aarti can be sung every evening as part of regular puja, but it holds special significance on Ekadashi, Tuesdays, and throughout the Falgun Mela (the great annual fair held at Khatu Dham), as well as during Baba Shyam's Prakatya Utsav.

Baba Shyam is known above all as the deity of hope - devotees turn to him specifically when they feel they have already lost, whether in health, finances, court cases, relationships or any struggle that feels unwinnable. Singing his aarti with a sincere heart is believed to remove despair, restore courage, and open a path forward even in seemingly hopeless situations. It is also sung to express gratitude when a difficult phase has passed.

Who is Khatu Shyam Baba? Khatu Shyam Baba is the name by which Barbarik, grandson of Bhima and Hidimba, is worshipped. He offered his head to Krishna before the Mahabharata war and was blessed to be worshipped in Kaliyug as Shyam.

Why is he called Haare Ka Sahara? Because his own life story is one of giving everything in a battle he had no stake in winning, he is seen as the protector of those who feel defeated, and devotees believe he never turns away someone who comes to him in genuine helplessness.

When should this aarti be sung? It can be sung daily during evening puja, and is especially meaningful on Ekadashi, Tuesdays and during the Falgun Mela at Khatu Dham.