Kartik Mela2026

• Main day20 NovemberDev Uthani Ekadashi · Friday
• Duration3 daysNavami to Ekadashi
• Highlight56 Bhogspecial offering to Baba

1. 1

   Dev Uthani Ekadashi — Baba’s birth-day

   By tradition, Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani Ekadashi) is the manifestation day of Shri Khatu Shyam Ji. It is the day Vishnu wakes from the yoga-sleep of Chaturmas — and in that same moment the descent of Baba Shyam, the Kaliyuga "Hare ka Sahara", is held to be complete.

2. 2

   The close of Chaturmas — the most auspicious day

   The four months from Devshayani Ekadashi (Ashadha Shukla) to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi are the Chaturmas, when weddings and other auspicious work are set aside. Dev Uthani Ekadashi ends Chaturmas — and the whole community turns again to auspicious beginnings.

3. 3

   Compared to the Phalgun Mela

   Khatu Shyam has two great melas a year — the Phalgun Mela (March) and the Kartik Mela (November). The Phalgun Mela recalls Baba’s "Khatu manifestation", when Roop Singh Chauhan was shown the head in a dream. The Kartik Mela celebrates Baba’s original birth-manifestation. Both bring lakhs of devotees to Khatu.

1. 18 November 2026

   Wednesday

   Kartik Shukla Navami (Akshay Navami)

   The mela opens — Amla Navami worship, special decoration of the temple, and final preparations as pilgrims begin to arrive.

   • 5:30 AMMangala Aarti — the first darshan of the mela, as the doors open
   • 8:00 AMShringar Aarti — Baba’s Kartik shringar
   • MorningAmla Navami worship — the special puja of Akshay Navami
   • 12:30 PMBhog Aarti
   • 6:30 PMSandhya Aarti — the lamp displays begin
   • EveningBhajan sandhya — kirtan on the mela stage
   • 9:00 PMShayan Aarti

   Crowds · Relatively light — darshan is easy. This is the best day for an unhurried visit.

2. 19 November 2026

   Thursday

   Kartik Shukla Dashami

   The eve. The Ringas–Khatu Nishan Yatra is in full flow, with night jagran, bhajan evenings and preparation for the main aarti.

   • 5:30 AMMangala Aarti
   • 8:00 AMShringar Aarti
   • All dayNishan Yatra — the 17 km walk from Ringas — the road rings with jaikaras
   • 12:30 PMBhog Aarti
   • 6:30 PMSandhya Aarti
   • 9:00 PMShayan Aarti
   • OvernightJagran — the eve of Ekadashi — devotees keep vigil

   Crowds · Builds quickly — the largest flow of nishan-walkers arrives along the Ringas road from the afternoon onward.

3. 20 November 2026

   Friday

   Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani)

   The main day — Baba’s manifestation festival. The crowd peaks, with the 56-bhog offering, a midnight abhishek and night-long kirtan.

   • 4:00 AMLeast-crowded window — the best time to join the queue
   • 5:30 AMMangala Aarti — the first aarti of the manifestation day
   • 8:00 AMShringar Aarti — the itra bath and flower shringar
   • 12:30 PMBhog Aarti — the 56-bhog offering and darshan
   • 6:30 PMSandhya Aarti — the whole temple lit with lamps
   • 9:00 PMShayan Aarti
   • OvernightKirtan and abhishek — the night of the Janmotsav — bhajan without pause

   Crowds · At its peak — darshan can take 4–6 hours. The window around 4 AM is the least crowded. Separate queues are available for senior citizens.

Aarti times follow the temple’s regular winter schedule. On the main mela day darshan hours are extended and aarti timings can shift by announcement — confirm with shrishyammandir.com. Full timings are on Aarti timings.

1. 1

   Weather — the start of the pink winter

   Mid-November Khatu is pleasant — 20–25°C by day, 10–15°C at night. Carry light woollens. The weather is gentler than at the Phalgun Mela.
2. 2

   Booking — opens after Diwali

   Booking for the Kartik Mela picks up right after Diwali (8 November). About ten days’ notice is enough — it does not need the long advance planning of the Phalgun Mela.
3. 3

   Crowds on the main day

   The crowd peaks on 20 November (Ekadashi). Darshan can take 4–6 hours; the 4 AM window is the least crowded. Separate queues are available for senior citizens.
4. 4

   The 56-bhog darshan

   On the main Ekadashi, Baba is offered the chhappan bhog — 56 dishes: makhan-mishri, peda, kheer, panjiri, dahi, gulab jamun, besan laddu and traditional Marwari sweets. It is a remarkable sight.
5. 5

   Pair Diwali with the Kartik Mela

   Many devotees join the Khatu Kartik Mela onto a Diwali trip through Vrindavan, Mathura or Jaipur — turning it into a two- or three-shrine pilgrimage.
6. 6

   Donate only through official channels

   Be wary of unauthorised donation requests at the mela. Give only through the Shri Shyam Mandir Committee’s official boxes or shrishyammandir.com.

1. 1

   When is the Khatu Shyam Kartik Mela 2026?

   It runs 18–20 November 2026, with the main day on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani Ekadashi) — Friday 20 November.
2. 2

   Why is the Kartik Mela special at Khatu?

   Dev Uthani Ekadashi is held to be Baba’s manifestation day, and it also marks the end of Chaturmas — making it one of the most auspicious days of the year.
3. 3

   How is the Kartik Mela different from the Phalgun Mela?

   The Phalgun Mela (March) recalls Baba’s appearance at Khatu; the Kartik Mela (November) celebrates his original birth-manifestation. Both draw lakhs of devotees.
4. 4

   What is the 56-bhog?

   On the main Ekadashi, Baba is offered the chhappan bhog — 56 dishes including makhan-mishri, peda, kheer, panjiri and traditional Marwari sweets.