{{Short description|Hindu deity}} {{more citations needed|date=April 2016}} {{use dmy dates|date=February 2016}} {{use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox deity | name = Khatu Shyam | image =Khatushyamji Pad Yatra from Kota.JPG | caption = Barbarika worshipped as Khatushyamji in Khatu near Sikar as well as other places including Kota, Rajasthan | other_names = Barbara , Khatu Naath | god_of = War, Sacrifice | abode = Mount Meru | parents = Ghatotkacha (father), Mauravi (mother) | consort = | children = | symbols = Bow, Arrow | festivals = Khatu Shyam Jayanti | type = Hindu | texts = }}
'''Barbarika''' (''Barbarīka'') in Hinduism is the son of Ghatotkacha and Princess Ahilawati or Maurvi. Ghatotkach is the son of Bhima and Hidimbi. Maurvi is the daughter of Daitya Moora (Army Chief of Demon King Narakasura) and Demoness Danavi.<ref name="Parmeshwaranand2001">{{cite book|last=Parmeshwaranand|first=Swami|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6F0ZIBIL2ZAC|year=2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-226-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6F0ZIBIL2ZAC/page/n161 155]}}</ref> Barbarika is a folk hero and is not directly attested in the Mahabharata.
In Nepal, Kirati king Yalambar is believed to be the Barbarik of Mahabharata, son of Ghatotkach and grandson of Bheem. Legend credits him with meeting Indra, the lord of heaven, who ventured into the Valley in human guise, while natives of the Kathmandu Valley portray him as Akash Bhairav.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/02-13/features2739.htm |title={title} |access-date=17 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225033948/http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/02-13/features2739.htm |archive-date=25 February 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In Rajasthan, Barbarika is worshipped as '''Khatu Shyam''' in Khatu Shyam Temple,<ref>{{cite web |title=जानिये कौन हैं ये खाटू श्याम महाराज |url=https://www.newstrend.news/175965/khatu-shyam-maharaj-ki-kahani/ |website=newstrend.news |date=14 October 2018 |publisher=Newstrend |access-date=3 May 2020 |language=hi}}</ref> and in Gujarat, he is worshipped as '''Baliyadev'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pravase |title=Baliyabapa Temple, Lambha Baliyadev Mandir, Ahmedabad{{!}}Pravase |url=https://pravase.co.in/thingstododetail/176/india/gujarat/ahmedabad/baliyabapa-temple-lambha-mandir-timings-history-rituals-facilities |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=pravase.co.in |language=en}}</ref>
== His legendary arrows == Barbarika/ Belarsen was a grandson of Bhima (second of the Pandava brothers), and the son of Ghatotkacha. Ghatotkacha was the son of Bhima and Hidimbi. He learnt the art of warfare from his mother Ahilāvati, who was also known as Mauravi (daughter of Mura). The gods (''ashtadeva'') gave him the three infallible arrows.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MMFdosx0PokC&pg=PA431 |title=Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics |author=Alf Hiltebeitel |author-link=Alf Hiltebeitel |publisher=University of Chicago Press |year=2009 |isbn=9780226340555 |page=431 |access-date=28 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012600/https://books.google.ca/books?id=MMFdosx0PokC&lpg=PA431 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
==See also== *Iravan
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Regional Hindu gods Category:Hindu folk deities