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In recent years, many cars across Delhi-NCR can be seen carrying a sticker of a bow and three arrows. While it may seem like a simple symbol, a YouTube video has explained the deeper spiritual story behind it and how this trend connects to the growing devotion towards Khatu Shyam Ji, a Hindu deity whose temple lies in Rajasthan’s Sikar district. The video, uploaded on the channel Prateek Express, explores how faith in Khatu Shyam Ji has spread far beyond Rajasthan, especially among people from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. The video, titled “The Sudden Rise of Khatu Shyam Ji, Explained,” takes viewers through mythology, history and the recent social media wave that has brought the deity into the national spotlight. The Legend Of Barbarik Prateek begins his video by saying, “Gaadiyo par lage ye teen baan wale dhanush stickers aapne bahut dekhe honge lekin abse ye 10–15 saal pehle, na toh kisi ki gaadi par ye stickers the aur na hi kisi ke ghar me Khatu Shyam Ji ki koi murti (You must have seen these three-arrow bow stickers on cars, but 10–15 years ago, no one had them or even an idol of Khatu Shyam Ji at home).” He then explains the story behind the deity. “Aap jante hai Khatu Shyam Ji teen baan ke Dhari Mahabharat ke Barbarik hai jinhone aapna sheesh daan kiya tha (Khatu Shyam Ji is actually Barbarik from Mahabharat who offered his head in sacrifice),” Prateek says adding that his story is not found in the Mahabharat or Bhagavad Puran but in the Skanda Purana’s Kaumarika Khanda. In the video, he narrates how Barbarik was the grandson of Bhima and son of Ghatotkacha and the demon king’s daughter Kamakatankata. Blessed with immense strength, Barbarik meditated and gained divine powers. When he met a sage named Vijay, the sage gifted him sacred ash from his Agneekund (holy fire pit) that could expose the weak spots of his enemies. Barbarik stored the ash in his hollow bow and later claimed that he could finish the entire Kaurava army within a minute. Hearing this, Shri Krishna cut off his head with the Sudarshan Chakra. After his sacrifice, the gods appeared and revealed that Barbarik had once been a Yaksha who was cursed by Brahma for his arrogance. Krishna then blessed Barbarik’s head and said that he would be worshipped as Khatu Shyam Ji in the Kali Yuga as a god who fulfills the wishes of devotees. The Birth Of The Temple Prateek also describes how the temple of Khatu Shyam Ji came into existence. Roop Singh Chauhan and his wife Narmada Kanwar built the first temple in 1027 AD after she dreamt of an idol buried at a site now known as Shyam Kund. The idol was discovered there, and the temple was constructed in its honor. In 1720 AD, Diwan Abhaisingh rebuilt the temple in its present form. He further shares that the Battle of Khatu Shyam Ji took place in 1779 when Jaipur Rajputs defended the temple against a Mughal invasion. The Rajputs fought fiercely to protect the shrine, ultimately killing the Mughal commander Murtaza Khan and ensuring the temple’s safety. How Khatu Shyam Ji Rose To Fame According to Prateek, one of the biggest reasons behind Khatu Shyam Ji’s sudden rise in popularity is the internet. With the growing trend of sharing travel experiences, devotees now record and post reels and vlogs from their visits that gave rise to what he calls an “online religious culture.” He says, “Today, people are excited about those religious areas that were at a time limited to specific regions only. This is something which wasn’t seen before last 4–5 years.” He also connects this rise with increased development around pilgrimage sites and a visible 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 confidence aa gaya hai (Since 2014, we have seen a major shift—people have developed openness and confidence about their Hindu identity),”Prateek explains. The Role Of Music And Media Prateek highlights that devotional music has played a crucial role in spreading Khatu Shyam Ji’s name. “Earlier, people had to struggle to find cassettes and CDs for bhajans, but now as the internet has reached every home, these songs are easy to access,” he says. Many popular singers have created bhajans about Khatu Shyam Ji that have become online sensations. Young India’s New God The YouTuber also notes that the youth are now a significant part of Khatu Shyam Ji’s following. He explains this trend through a “formula” that comprises of drive, darshan, display and depart. Citing a generic example, he said that groups of friends often plan short road trips from nearby cities like Delhi, Meerut, Jaipur or Indore to visit the temple. They seek blessings, click pictures and share them online which turn their journey into both a spiritual and social experience.
