An important update has emerged for devotees associated with the world-renowned religious site, the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple. If you are planning to visit the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple these days to seek *darshan* (sacred sight) of Baba Shyam during the *Aarti* (ritual worship) ceremonies, you must verify the specific timings, as changes have been made to the schedules of two of Baba Shyam's primary *Aartis*. It is worth noting that Baba Shyam's *Aarti* is performed five times throughout the day. During two of these five daily *Aartis*, Baba Shyam's captivating adornment (*Shringar*) is changed, allowing devotees to behold Him in a fresh, new guise.

In accordance with the traditions of the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple, the timings for Baba Shyam's *Aarti* undergo periodic adjustments. Consequently, coinciding with the transition from *Chaitra Shukla Paksha* to *Vaishakh Krishna Paksha*, the Shri Shyam Mandir Committee has revised the schedules for two of Baba Shyam's principal *Aartis*. The Shri Shyam Mandir administration has issued an official notification regarding these changes. According to the issued notification, the timings for the *Shringar Aarti* and the *Sandhya Aarti* (Evening Aarti) at the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple have been altered.

Henceforth, Baba Shyam's morning *Shringar Aarti* will be held at 7:15 AM. Additionally, the *Sandhya Aarti* will take place at 7:15 PM. Mohan Das Maharaj, the former President of the Shyam Mandir Committee, explained that—due to the transition from *Chaitra Krishna Paksha* to *Chaitra Shukla Paksha* (marking the onset of the summer season)—Baba Shyam's first *Mangala Aarti* is now performed at 4:30 AM; in contrast, this same *Aarti* is performed at 5:30 AM during the winter months. This *Aarti* is the very first ritual performed immediately upon the opening of the temple doors. It is followed by the second ceremony, the *Shringar Aarti*—and it is the timing of this specific *Aarti* that has now been revised.

According to the new schedule, the *Shringar Aarti* will now be held at 7:10 AM; it is during this ceremony that Baba receives His special adornment. Subsequently, the third ceremony—the *Bhog Aarti*—will take place at its customary time of 12:30 PM. During this ritual, special food offerings (*Bhog*) are presented to Baba Shyam. The timing for this particular *Aarti* remains constant throughout both the winter and summer seasons. Finally, the evening *Sandhya Aarti* is performed; the timing for this *Aarti* has also been subject to revision.

Effective immediately, the *Sandhya Aarti* will be held at 7:15 PM. Previously, this *aarti* used to take place at 7:00 PM. Now, however, the *Shayan Aarti* (night prayer) will be held at 10:00 PM. Following this *aarti*, if the crowd thins out, the temple is closed for the night. In light of this update, the temple committee has appealed to devotees to visit the temple for *Shyam Darshan* (viewing of the deity) at their own convenience, ensuring they face no difficulties.

Baba Shyam is revered as the "Support of the Defeated" (*Haare Ka Sahara*) and is considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna. During the Mahabharata war, when Barbarik—the grandson of Bhima—was preparing to enter the battlefield on the side of the Kauravas, Lord Krishna appeared before him in the guise of a Brahmin and asked for the donation of his head. Without a moment's hesitation, Barbarik offered his head to Lord Krishna. Pleased by this act, Lord Krishna granted him a boon, declaring that in the *Kali Yuga*, he would be worshipped by the name "Shyam" and would serve as a source of support for those who have faced defeat. Since then, Baba Shyam has been worshipped by devotees as the "Support of the Defeated."

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