1How to reach Khatu Shyam Ji from Jaipur
Khatu Shyam Ji is in Sikar district, about 80 km north-west of Jaipur. By car it takes around 2 hours via Chomu and Ringus. Ringus is the nearest railway station, 17 km from the temple, with shared jeeps and autos onwards. Many devotees walk the last stretch from Ringus carrying a nishan, the saffron flag. A cab from Jaipur drops you near the temple, waits through darshan and brings you back.
2Temple timings and aarti
The temple opens early in the morning with the mangla aarti and stays open until late evening, with a break in the afternoon when the doors close for the deity's rest. Timings change slightly between summer and winter, so check the day before. There are five aartis a day, and the mangla and shringar aartis in the morning are the most loved. Arriving early, before 7 am, means a much shorter queue.
3The busiest days: Ekadashi and the Phalgun mela
Shukla Ekadashi each month, Sundays and public holidays draw big crowds. The biggest event is the Phalgun Lakhi mela in February or March, leading up to Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi, when lakhs of pilgrims arrive and roads near the temple close to cars. Expect parking a long way out and queues of several hours. If you're going then, leave Jaipur well before dawn and tell your driver where you want to be dropped.
4Shyam Kund and other things to know
Shyam Kund, the holy pond near the temple, is where the head of Barbarik is said to have been found, and many pilgrims take a dip before darshan. Shyam Bagichi, the garden where flowers for the deity are grown, is a short walk away. Phones and bags can be left at stalls near the entrance. Prasad of peda and makhana is sold all along the lane to the temple.
5Adding Salasar Balaji on the same day
Salasar Balaji, one of the most important Hanuman temples in India, is about 100 km further north. Many families do both in one day: Khatu Shyam Ji in the morning, Salasar Balaji in the afternoon, and back in Jaipur by night, about 350 km in all. Tuesdays and Saturdays are busiest at Salasar. Our Khatu Shyam Ji and Salasar Balaji tour covers both temples with a driver who knows the parking and the queues.
