Bharat Devotion
Embroidered artwork for Shree Shyam Baba Aarti: Embroidered Om symbol above a brass diya, marigolds and a temple spire at sunrise

Shree Shyam Baba Aarti

Shree Shyam Baba Aarti

A devotional aarti to Shree Shyam Baba (Khatu Shyam), a form of Krishna, describing his divine form and the blessings he grants his devotees.

Verses

Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare. Khatu Dhaam Virajat, Anupam Roop Dhare.

Verse 1

Ratan Jadit Singhasan, Sir Par Chanwar Dhure. Tan Kesariya Baago, Kundal Shravan Pade.

Verse 2

Gal Pushpon Ki Maala, Sir Par Mukut Dhare. Khewat Dhoop Agni Par, Deepak Jyoti Jale.

Verse 3

Modak Kheer Choorma, Suvaran Thaal Bhare. Sevak Bhog Lagaawat, Seva Nitya Kare.

Verse 4

Jhanjh Katora Aur Ghadiyawal, Shankh Mridang Ghure. Bhakt Aarti Gaave, Jai-Jaikaar Kare.

Verse 5

Jo Dhyaave Phal Paave, Sab Dukh Se Ubare. Sevak Jan Nij Mukh Se, Shri Shyam-Shyam Uchare.

Verse 6

Shri Shyam Bihari Ji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gaave. Kahat Bhakt Jan, Manwaanchhit Phal Paave.

Verse 7

Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Ji Shri Shyam Hare. Nij Bhakton Ke Tumne, Pooran Kaaj Kare.

Verse 8

Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare, Baba Jai Shri Shyam Hare. Khatu Dhaam Virajat, Anupam Roop Dhare.

Verse 9

Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)

Auspicious Day

Wednesday (Budhwar), Thursday (Guruwar) & Ekadashi

Best Time (Muhurta)

Early Morning (Brahma Muhurta) or Sandhya (Twilight)

Sacred Offerings

Tulsi leaves, Butter (Makhan), Mishri, Yellow flowers & Chandan

Spiritual Benefits (Phalashruti)
  • Awakening of pure divine love (Prema Bhakti), mental joy, and freedom from anxiety
Chanting Practice:Sing together with family at the conclusion of evening worship while offering a circular light flame.

Background

This is the Aarti of Shree Shyam Baba, a devotional hymn sung in the worship of Lord Krishna in his form as Shyam Baba, whose main temple is at Khatu Dham in Rajasthan, India. It is traditionally sung during the evening aarti (a ritual of offering light and devotion) in homes and temples, especially on Saturdays, which are considered auspicious for this deity. The hymn describes the deity's appearance, the offerings made to him, and the blessings devotees seek. After the opening refrain, stanza 1 pictures the jewelled throne and saffron robes, stanza 3 lists the offerings of modak, kheer and churma, and stanza 4 names the instruments that accompany the singing. Devotees identify Shyam Baba with Barbarika, the valorous grandson of Bhima in the Mahabharata, who offered his own head to Krishna so that he could witness the entire Kurukshetra war; moved by this ultimate sacrifice, Krishna blessed him to be worshipped in the Kali Yuga under the name Shyam. This legend, carried through oral and regional retellings of the Mahabharata rather than its core Sanskrit text, is the thread connecting Khatu Shyam worship to the itihasa tradition.

Did You Know?

Deity

Shree Shyam Baba is worshipped as a form of Lord Krishna at Khatu Dham in Rajasthan's Sikar district. Devotees hold that the temple enshrines the head of Barbarika, and that the idol was found in the ground near the sacred pond now known as Shyam Kund.

Aarti Tradition

This is the evening aarti (ritual of light) sung during worship at Khatu Dham. The verses describe the deity's appearance, with a jewelled throne, saffron robes, earrings, a crown and flower garlands, and the offerings of sweets like modak, kheer, and churma that are part of the temple's daily seva.

Musical Setting

The aarti is typically sung in a lively, devotional folk style, accompanied by traditional instruments like the jhanjh (cymbals), mridang (drum), and shankh (conch). The repeated refrain 'Jai Shree Shyam Hare' invites collective singing, making it a participatory experience for devotees.

Miraculous Promise

The closing verses promise that anyone who sings this aarti with devotion will have their heartfelt wishes fulfilled and be freed from all sorrows. This belief in the deity's power to grant boons is a key reason the aarti is so popular among devotees, who often visit Khatu Dham to seek blessings for marriage, health, and prosperity.

Regional Devotion

Although centred on Rajasthan, the worship of Shree Shyam has spread across North India. The aarti's simple, repetitive structure makes it accessible to all, regardless of caste or background, reflecting the inclusive nature of bhakti (devotional) traditions.