Khatu Shyam Temple

Khatu Shyam Temple (Rajasthani/Hindi: खाटू श्याम मंदिर) is a Hindu temple situated in Khatoo town in the Sikar district of the Indian State of Rajasthan. It is a site for worshipping the deity Khatu-Shyam. Devotees believe the temple houses the head of Barbarika or Khatu-Shyam, a legendary warrior who sacrifices his head upon the request of Krishna during the antebellum of the Kurukshetra War. Such request was made due to Barbarika's decision to support the losing side in war. Barbarika donated his head on the condition that he wants to see the war. Krishna, pleased by such sacrifice, granted him mystical/godly vision, his own name and status of a deity.