An important update has emerged for devotees associated with the world-renowned religious site, the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple. If you are planning to visit the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple these days to seek *darshan* (sacred sight) of Baba Shyam during the *Aarti* (ritual worship) ceremonies, you must verify the specific timings, as changes have been made to the schedules of two of Baba Shyam's primary *Aartis*.
It is worth noting that Baba Shyam's *Aarti* is performed five times throughout the day. During two of these five daily *Aartis*, Baba Shyam's captivating adornment (*Shringar*) is changed, allowing devotees to behold Him in a fresh, new guise.
In accordance with the traditions of the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple, the timings for Baba Shyam's *Aarti* undergo periodic adjustments. Consequently, coinciding with the transition from *Chaitra Shukla Paksha* to *Vaishakh Krishna Paksha*, the Shri Shyam Mandir Committee has revised the schedules for two of Baba Shyam's principal *Aartis*. The Shri Shyam Mandir administration has issued an official notification regarding these changes. According to the issued notification, the timings for the *Shringar Aarti* and the *Sandhya Aarti* (Evening Aarti) at the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple have been altered.
Henceforth, Baba Shyam's morning *Shringar Aarti* will be held at 7:15 AM. Additionally, the *Sandhya Aarti* will take place at 7:15 PM. Mohan Das Maharaj, the former President of the Shyam Mandir Committee, explained that-due to the transition from *Chaitra Krishna Paksha* to *Chaitra Shukla Paksha* (marking the onset of the summer season)-Baba Shyam's first *Mangala Aarti* is now performed at 4:30 AM; in contrast, this same *Aarti* is performed at 5:30 AM during the winter months. This *Aarti* is the very first ritual performed immediately upon the opening of the temple doors. It is followed by the second ceremony, the *Shringar Aarti*-and it is the timing of this specific *Aarti* that has now been revised.
According to the new schedule, the *Shringar Aarti* will now be held at 7:10 AM; it is during this ceremony that Baba receives His special adornment. Subsequently, the third ceremony-the *Bhog Aarti*-will take place at its customary time of 12:30 PM. During this ritual, special food offerings (*Bhog*) are presented to Baba Shyam. The timing for this particular *Aarti* remains constant throughout both the winter and summer seasons. Finally, the evening *Sandhya Aarti* is performed; the timing for this *Aarti* has also been subject to revision.
Effective immediately, the *Sandhya Aarti* will be held at 7:15 PM. Previously, this *aarti* used to take place at 7:00 PM. Now, however, the *Shayan Aarti* (night prayer) will be held at 10:00 PM. Following this *aarti*, if the crowd thins out, the temple is closed for the night. In light of this update, the temple committee has appealed to devotees to visit the temple for *Shyam Darshan* (viewing of the deity) at their own convenience, ensuring they face no difficulties.
Baba Shyam is revered as the "Support of the Defeated" (*Haare Ka Sahara*) and is considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna. During the Mahabharata war, when Barbarik-the grandson of Bhima-was preparing to enter the battlefield on the side of the Kauravas, Lord Krishna appeared before him in the guise of a Brahmin and asked for the donation of his head. Without a moment's hesitation, Barbarik offered his head to Lord Krishna. Pleased by this act, Lord Krishna granted him a boon, declaring that in the *Kali Yuga*, he would be worshipped by the name "Shyam" and would serve as a source of support for those who have faced defeat. Since then, Baba Shyam has been worshipped by devotees as the "Support of the Defeated."
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