Darshan (visitation) at the Khatu Shyam Temple will now be closed every Saturday night from 10 PM to Sunday morning at 5 AM. The temple committee has implemented this new rule to control crowds and improve order.
Sikar: The Khatu Shyamji Temple, located in the Sikar district of Rajasthan, is a center of faith for millions of devotees across the country. Devotees from far and wide travel to Khatu Nagari to seek the blessings of Baba Shyam, who is known as "Hare ka Sahara" (Support of the defeated). Considering this massive crowd of devotees and the increasing pressure, the Shri Shyam Temple Committee has taken a major decision regarding Saturday night darshan. According to the committee's new instructions, the temple doors will now remain closed every Saturday night from 10 PM to Sunday morning at 5 AM. During this period, no devotee will be allowed to enter the temple premises. This decision has been implemented with immediate effect.
Why Was This Decision Taken?
Temple Committee Minister Manvendra Singh Chauhan said in a conversation with the media that, "This decision has been taken with the aim of facilitating the devotees and maintaining discipline in the temple premises. Due to the continuously increasing crowd, difficulties were being faced in security arrangements and temple operations. This was not only affecting the devotees, but the temple staff was also not getting the necessary rest." He also said that many times, due to excessive crowds at night, there was chaos, which raised questions about the safety of the devotees.
Appeal to Devotees
The temple committee has requested all devotees to leave the temple premises before 10 PM on Saturday night for darshan and plan their visit only after 5 AM on Sunday morning. Entry to the temple premises will be prohibited during this time and security arrangements will be strictly enforced. Devotees have also been asked not to rely on social media or rumors and to only get updates from the official information sources of the temple committee.
Crowd Control: A Major Challenge
Thousands of devotees visit the Khatu Shyamji Temple every day, but this number reaches into the millions on Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Saturdays-Sundays, and festivals. Managing such a crowd becomes a major challenge for the district administration and the police force. During this time, devotees face long waits for darshan, difficulties in the heat, and sometimes pushing and shoving. In the past few months, disorder has been observed several times due to the crowd, which made this decision necessary.
Changes Have Been Made Before Too
It is noteworthy that during the summer, the temple administration had also imposed some restrictions on darshan during the afternoon to protect devotees from heatstroke and heat. On the same lines, this decision has been taken with the aim of controlling the crowd at night and giving sufficient rest to the temple staff.
More Improvements May Be Made in the Future
According to sources, this new system has been implemented as a trial. If it improves the system and maintains the satisfaction of the devotees, it may be made permanent in the future. Also, the temple committee is considering online darshan registration, timed darshan slots, and special pass systems for crowd management.
The Glory of Khatu Nagari and Devotee Sentiments
Khatu Shyam Baba is worshiped as the Kalyugi incarnation of Krishna. It is said that whoever comes to the feet of Baba with a true heart, their wishes are definitely fulfilled. Due to this belief, a sea of devotees throngs here throughout the year. The temple administration's effort is that the devotion of the devotees remains intact and they are fortunate to have darshan in a safe, peaceful, and orderly environment.
