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The YouTube video explores how faith in Khatu Shyam ji spread beyond Rajasthan, especially among people from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.
The story of Khatu Shyam Ji is mentioned in Kaumarika Khanda of Skanda Purana. (Image source: X)
In recent years, many cars can be seen around the Delhi-national capital bearing a sticker of a bow and three arrows. Although it may seem like a simple symbol, a YouTube video explained the deeper spiritual story behind it and how the trend is linked to the growing devotion towards Khatu Shyam Ji, a Hindu deity whose temple is located in the Sikar district of Rajasthan.
The video, uploaded on Prateek Express, explores how faith in Khatu Shyam ji spread beyond Rajasthan, especially among people from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. The video, titled ‘Khatu Shyam Ji’s Sudden Rise Explained’, takes viewers through mythology, history and the recent social media wave that brought the deity into the national spotlight.
The legend of Barbaric
Prateek begins his video by saying, “You must have seen these three bow stickers on cars, but 10-15 years ago, no one had these stickers or even a statue of Khatu Shyam ji at home.”
He then explains the story behind the god. “You know that Khatu Shyam ji is actually Barbarik from Mahabharat who offered his head as a sacrifice,” Pratik says, adding that his story is not found in Mahabharat or Bhagavad Puran but in Kumarika Khanda of Skanda Purana.
In the video, he narrates how Barbarik was the grandson of Bhima, the son of Ghatotkacha and the daughter of the demon king Kamakatankatha. With tremendous power, Barbaric meditated and gained divine powers. When he met a sage named Vijay, the sage gifted him sacred ashes from the sacred fire pit (Agneekund) which could reveal the weaknesses of his enemies. Barbarik stored the ashes in his hollow bow and later claimed that he could finish off the entire Kaurava army within a minute.
On hearing this, Shri Krishna beheaded him using the Sudarshan Chakra. After his sacrifice, the gods appeared and revealed that Barbarik was once a yaksha who had been cursed by Brahma for his arrogance. Krishna then blessed Barbarik’s head and said that he will be worshiped as Khatu Shyam Ji in Kali Yuga as a god who fulfills the wishes of devotees.
The birth of the temple
Pratik also describes how Khatu Shyam Ji Temple came into existence. Roop Singh Chauhan and his wife Narmada Kanwar built the first temple in 1027 AD after dreaming of an idol buried at a site now known as Shyam Kund. The idol was discovered there, and a temple was built in its honor. In 1720 AD, Dewan Abhisingh rebuilt the temple in its present form.
It also shares that the Battle of Khatu Shyam Ji took place in 1779 when Jaipur Rajputs defended the temple against Mughal invasion. The Rajputs fought ferociously to protect the shrine, eventually killing the Mughal commander Murtaza Khan and ensuring the safety of the temple.
How did Khatu Shyam Ji rise to fame?
According to Pratik, one of the biggest reasons behind Khatu Shyam Ji’s sudden rise in popularity is the internet. With the growing trend toward sharing travel experiences, devotees are now recording and posting videos and vlogs from their visits, giving rise to what he calls “online religious culture.”
“People today are passionate about those religious areas that were at one time limited to specific areas only,” he says. “This is something we did not see before the last 4-5 years.” He also links this rise to increased development around pilgrimage sites and an apparent cultural shift after 2014. “Fir 2014 se humne ek overturn window shift bhi dekha hai. Logo mein apni Hindu identity ko lekar ek openness and trust aa gaya hai (Since 2014, we have seen a huge shift – people have developed openness and trust about their Hindu identity),” Pratik explains.
The role of music and media
Pratik highlights that devotional music played a crucial role in popularizing the name of Khatu Shyam Ji. “Earlier, people had to struggle to find cassettes and CDs of bhajans, but now with the Internet reaching every home, it has become easy to access these songs,” he says. Many famous singers have created bhajans around Khatu Shyam Ji which have become viral on the internet.
The new god of young India
The YouTuber also points out that young people are now an important part of Khatu Shyam Ji’s followers. He explains this trend through a “formula” consisting of leadership, darshan, presentation and departure. Citing a general example, he said groups of friends often plan short road trips from nearby cities like Delhi, Meerut, Jaipur or Indore to visit the temple. They search for blessings, take photos and share them online turning their journey into a spiritual and social experience.
The team of writers at News18.com bring you stories about what’s buzzing on the internet while exploring science, cricket, technology, sex, Bollywood and culture.
Delhi, India, India
07 November 2025 at 07:30 IST
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