Lucknow — the city of Nawabs and ancient culture — is also home to several spiritual and devotional centres that attract devotees from across the state. One of the most revered among these is the Shri Khatu Shyam Temple, Lucknow, a vibrant and spiritually uplifting place dedicated to Lord Khatu Shyam Ji, who is worshipped as the embodiment of Barbarika, the grandson of Bhima from the Mahabharata.
This temple holds a special place in the hearts of its devotees in Uttar Pradesh due to its devotion-centered ambience, regular worship activities, and easily accessible location in the heart of Lucknow city.
A Spiritual Oasis in Lucknow
The Khatu Shyam Mandir in Lucknow serves as a local sacred hub for devotees who wish to offer their prayers, participate in aartis, or simply enjoy a moment of peace away from urban bustle. While the original and most famous Khatu Shyam Ji Temple is located in Khatu village of Sikar district in Rajasthan, where detailed darshan and aarti timings are well-established due to its historic pilgrimage significance, the Lucknow version carries forward that devotion at a community level.
Although smaller in scale compared to its Rajasthan counterpart, the Lucknow temple follows a similar devotional spirit and often mirrors the traditional schedule of aartis and darshan practices, allowing local devotees to engage with the same faith practices without traveling far.
Darshan Timings
The darshan (visitation) at the Shri Khatu Shyam Temple in Lucknow typically begins early in the morning to accommodate devotees before the heat of the day, and continues through the day in the form of scheduled prayer offerings.
While exact timings can vary slightly due to seasonal changes and special occasions, devotees generally observe the following pattern:
-
Morning Darshan: Starts early morning, often around 5:00 AM, aligning with the beginning of the day’s worship.
-
Mid-day Access: Darshan remains open through the morning and late morning hours, usually until 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
-
Evening Darshan: Some temples like close mid-day and reopen later for evening prayers (especially in main temples like Khatu Shyam Ji Mandir in Rajasthan). While the Lucknow temples like this are more flexible, many devotees prefer visiting early morning and late afternoon to avoid crowd and heat.
Visiting in the early morning while the temple opens helps devotees experience a peaceful darshan with shorter queues. Evening darshan is also popular among working devotees. Many temples in the city follow a break in midday prayers, so planning visits around these periods helps ensure a smooth darshan experience.
Aarti Timings & Rituals
One of the highlights of any visit to a Khatu Shyam temple is participating in the aartis — the musical worship rituals filled with devotional chanting and spiritual energy. These aartis mark different times of the day and hold special significance:
Common Daily Aarti Schedule
Although specific timings at the Lucknow temple may vary, the typical aarti sequence at Khatu Shyam temples (following the traditional pattern from Rajasthan) includes:
-
Mangala Aarti:
- Performed early morning at the start of the day’s worship.
- Marks the first prayer and invokes divine blessings.
- (At Khatu Shyam Ji Temple in Rajasthan: ~4:30 AM in summer / 5:30 AM in winter)
-
Shringar Aarti:
- Takes place after Mangala Aarti, when the idol is adorned beautifully with flowers and garments.
- A deeply devotional and visually rich ritual.
- (Approx. ~7:00 AM summer / ~8:00 AM winter)
-
Bhog Aarti:
- Performed around mid‐day when food offerings are presented to the deity.
- Devotees receive prasadam after this aarti.
- (Approx. ~12:30 PM in both seasons)
-
Sandhya (Evening) Aarti:
- Held during sunset, this is one of the most attended rituals with beautiful lamp processions and chants.
- (About ~6:30 PM winter / ~7:30 PM summer)
-
Shayan (Night) Aarti:
- The final aarti of the day before the temple completes its closing rituals.
- (Approx. ~9:00 PM winter / ~10:00 PM summer)
While the Lucknow temple’s schedule might not strictly follow all these exact timings, it usually adheres to the traditional pattern of auspicious Bhagwan Shyam worship, often integrating Mangala and evening aarti rituals into its day-to-day function.
Temple Location & Accessibility
The main Shri Khatu Shyam Temple in Lucknow is located in a central, easily reachable area:
📍 Address:
Shri Khatu Shyam Temple, Lucknow
Nishat Ganj, Birbal Sahani Marg, Kala Kankar Colony, Purana Haidarabad, Hasanganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – 226007
This central location makes the temple accessible for both local residents and visitors. The area is well connected by public transport, shared autos, and personal vehicles. The nearby bus stands and auto routes make early morning visits convenient even without private transport.
In addition to the main temple, there are other Khatu Shyam-dedicated temples in Lucknow such as Shree Khatu Shyam Temple, Saadatganj and Shri Khatu Shyam Temple Ganeshganj lucknow, each serving devotees across different localities with similar prayers and devotional services.
Best Practices for Devotees
✔ Visit early morning or evening: To avoid crowds and heat.*
✔ Check Aarti Schedule: Temple committees may announce special aarti times during festivals.
✔ Respect temple decorum: Traditional dress and decorum are appreciated.
✔ Offer Prasadam with devotion: Participate in bhog offerings when available.
✔ Plan around special days: A day like Ekadashi often sees extended darshan hours and larger crowds (especially in Rajasthan).
Conclusion
Khatu Shyam Mandir in Lucknow is a peaceful sanctuary of faith and devotion, offering devotees a chance to engage with traditional worship, experience uplifting aarti moments, and feel spiritually enriched. Whether visited for daily prayers, special rituals, or quiet contemplation, this temple brings the heart of Khatu Shyam Ji’s devotion right into the busy life of Lucknow.
