Phalgun Mela2027
‖ 15–21 March 2027 · main day Thursday 18 March ‖
Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi — Amalaki Ekadashi, Thursday 18 March 2027 — is Khatu Shyam's biggest day of the year. Millions walk the 18 km Nishan Yatra from Ringas to Khatu to take darshan of Baba.
- Main day18 MarchAmalaki Ekadashi · Thursday
- Nishan Yatra18 kmbarefoot, Ringas to Khatu
- AttendanceMillionsover the 15–21 March week
Why Phalgun Ekadashi?
Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi is held to be Baba's pragatya tithi — the day tied to the appearance of his head at Khatu, after the king of Khatu was shown its place in a dream. That is why this Ekadashi, and the Dwadashi that follows, are the most revered days of the Khatu Shyam year.
The mela usually opens a day or two before Ekadashi and runs to Holi. Through that week the Ringas–Khatu road, the village and the temple courtyard never fall silent — there is kirtan around the clock.
The Mela Schedule
15 March 2027
Monday
Phalgun Shukla Shashthi
The mela opens — pilgrims begin arriving on the Ringas–Khatu road, and the service camps and temple are in their final preparations.
16–17 March 2027
Tue–Wed
Saptami to Navami
The build-up days. The Nishan Yatra is in full flow, with thousands walking from Ringas to Khatu each day and long darshan queues.
18 March 2027
Thursday
Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi (Amalaki)
The main day — Baba's pragatya festival. The crowd peaks, with the 56-bhog offering and a midnight abhishek. All of Khatu is in colour and song.
19 March 2027
Friday
Phalgun Shukla Dwadashi
Dwadashi — the second special darshan day, held to be as important as Ekadashi, with night-long jagran.
20 March 2027
Saturday
Phalgun Shukla Trayodashi
Darshan, bhandara, bhajan evenings and a steady stream of nishan offerings, as the crowd slowly thins.
21 March 2027
Sunday
Phalgun Purnima (Holika Dahan)
The mela closes on the eve of Holika Dahan. Holi (Dhulandi) follows the next day, 22 March.
The Nishan Yatra — Ringas to Khatu
- 1
Begin at Ringas
The Nishan Yatra traditionally starts near Shyam Kund by Ringas station. Pilgrims bathe, take up the saffron nishan (a flag on a tall pole), and set out on foot for Khatu.
- 2
The 18 km walk
The full Ringas-to-Khatu route — about 18 km — is walked barefoot. The walk itself is the offering: a stretch of surrender, effort and faith.
- 3
Seva camps along the way
The road is lined with free seva camps — water, tea, food and rest stops run by the Marwari community and local devotees, hour after hour.
- 4
Offering the nishan at Khatu
At Khatu the flags are offered near the temple. Through the mela, lakhs of nishans are offered together — an extraordinary sight.
- 1
Book well in advance
Rooms in Khatu, Ringas and Sikar fill up two to three months ahead. Reserve by December 2026 if you can.
- 2
Travel light
Heavy luggage is a burden in the crowd. Carry only water, a light snack, a torch and basic first aid — bags and phones must be left outside the sanctum.
- 3
Expect long darshan queues
The committee sets up barricades and queue management. Darshan can take several hours; the 4–5 AM window is usually the least crowded.
- 4
Care for elders and children
In such crowds, elderly visitors, small children, heart patients and pregnant women need extra care. Separate darshan lines and help are available — ask the temple committee.
- 5
Donate only through official channels
Many groups solicit donations at the mela. Please give only through the Shri Shyam Mandir Committee's official boxes or shrishyammandir.com.
- 1
When is the Khatu Shyam Phalgun Mela 2027?
It runs 15–21 March 2027, with the main day on Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi (Amalaki Ekadashi) — Thursday 18 March. Dwadashi, 19 March, is the second major darshan day.
- 2
What is the Nishan Yatra?
Devotees carry a saffron nishan (flag) and walk barefoot the ~18 km from Ringas to Khatu, offering it at the temple. It is the mela's most distinctive tradition — a vow of gratitude and surrender.
- 3
Why is Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi special at Khatu?
It is held to be Baba's pragatya (manifestation) day — the day linked to the appearance of his head at Khatu. That is why Ekadashi and Dwadashi draw the largest crowds of the year.
- 4
How many people attend the Phalgun Mela?
Estimates run into the millions over the mela week — it is the largest gathering of the Khatu Shyam year.
The detailed Hindi guide carries the full tithi-wise calendar and the Nishan Yatra niyam. For official updates and VIP darshan, see the temple committee site.