Kartik Mela2026
‖ 18–20 November 2026 · Khatu Shyam birth festival ‖
Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani Ekadashi) is held to be the manifestation day of Shri Khatu Shyam Ji — a meeting of Baba’s birth festival with the close of Chaturmas. After the Phalgun Mela, it is the year’s second great mela.
- Main day20 NovemberDev Uthani Ekadashi · Friday
- Duration3 daysNavami to Ekadashi
- Highlight56 Bhogspecial offering to Baba
Why Dev Uthani Ekadashi?
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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.
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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.
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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.
The Three-Day Programme
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
The detailed Hindi guide carries the full tithi-wise schedule. For official mela timings, VIP darshan and donations, see the temple committee site.