ShyamJanmotsav
‖ Dev Uthani Ekadashi · 20 November 2026 (Friday) ‖
Khatu Shyam Ji’s Janmotsav (birthday) is kept every year on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi — Dev Uthani Ekadashi. In the Shyam-devotee tradition this is held to be Baba’s prakatya (appearance) day.
Many devotees ask — "when is Khatu Shyam Baba’s birthday?" The answer: the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Kartik, that is Dev Uthani Ekadashi. It is distinct from Krishna Janmashtami — this is Baba’s own Janmotsav.
Why is Baba’s birthday on Dev Uthani Ekadashi?
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Dev Uthani Ekadashi — Baba’s prakat (appearance) day
In the Shyam-devotee tradition, Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani Ekadashi) is held to be the prakatya (avataran / appearance) day of Shri Khatu Shyam Ji. For this reason the tithi is kept as Baba’s Janmotsav — his birthday — with great fervour.
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From Barbarika to "Shyam" — Krishna’s boon
Khatu Shyam Baba is Barbarika, grandson of Bhima. Pleased with his unmatched sacrifice of sheesh-daan in the age of the Mahabharata, Krishna gave the boon that in the age of Kali he would be worshipped by Krishna’s own name "Shyam" and would fulfil his devotees’ wishes. The festival of his appearance (prakatya) at Khatu is kept as his Janmotsav.
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The Kartik Mahotsav and fair
Baba’s birthday is the peak day of the Kartik Mela (Kartik Mahotsav). A two-day fair is held at Khatu around Dev Uthani Ekadashi; devotees arrive from across the country carrying nishan, and the court of the "support of the defeated" fills with the joy of the Janmotsav.
How the Janmotsav is Kept
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Itra-snan and a shringar of flowers
On the Janmotsav Baba’s image is bathed with itra (perfume) and dressed in a grand shringar of roses, champa, chameli and many flowers — the temple fills with fragrance and colour.
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The mava cake and 56-bhog
Baba is offered his beloved mava cake and the chhappan bhog (56 dishes). Devotees offer the cake with the feeling of "happy birthday, Shyam Baba" and keep the celebration.
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Nishan yatra and the jaikara
Devotees from across the country reach Baba’s court carrying colourful nishan (flags), and Khatu resounds with "Shyam Baba ki jai", "Khatu Naresh ki jai" and "Sheesh ke Daani ki jai".
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When is Khatu Shyam Ji’s Janmotsav (birthday)?
Khatu Shyam Ji’s Janmotsav is kept every year on the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Kartik — Dev Uthani Ekadashi. The next date is given at the top of this page.
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Why is Baba’s birthday kept on Dev Uthani Ekadashi?
In the Shyam-devotee tradition, Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani Ekadashi) is held to be the prakatya (appearance) day of Shri Khatu Shyam Ji. So this tithi is kept as Baba’s Janmotsav (birthday), with a special celebration and fair at Khatu.
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Are Khatu Shyam Janmotsav and Krishna Janmashtami the same?
No, they are two different festivals. Janmashtami (Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami) is the birth of Krishna, also observed at the Khatu temple. But Khatu Shyam Baba’s own Janmotsav falls on Dev Uthani Ekadashi (Kartik Shukla Ekadashi).
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What happens at the temple on Shyam Janmotsav?
Baba is bathed with itra and dressed in flowers; a mava cake and the 56-bhog are offered; and devotees arrive from across the country with nishan, amid jaikaras. A two-day Kartik Mela is also held around Dev Uthani Ekadashi.
Janmotsav and Janmashtami are different. Janmashtami (Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami) is the birth of Krishna, also observed at the Khatu temple — but Baba Shyam’s own Janmotsav falls on Dev Uthani Ekadashi.