Shri Khatu Shyam Janmotsav Gyaras Chadhava & Baras Shyam Bhakt Paaran Seva

On the night of Gyaras, Shyam bhakts do not sleep. A full day of nirjal or phalahari vrat, bhajans in the evening, an all-night jagran - “Haare ka sahara, Baba Shyam hamara.” And then, on the morning of Baras, when the fast finally breaks, the first morsel is Baba’s prasad. Gyaras and Baras are not separate - they are two halves of a single breath.

The Shrimad Bhagavatam tells the story of King Ambarish, whose sacred rule was unwavering - Ekadashi vrat, and timely paaran on Dwadashi. Once, Sage Durvasa arrived as a guest and left for his bath, but was delayed in returning. Seeing the paaran window slipping away, Ambarish took only a sip of water to honour his niyam. The enraged Durvasa summoned a Kritya - but Sudarshan Chakra himself appeared to protect Ambarish. This is why the shastras declare that the merit of Ekadashi is made complete only through Dwadashi paaran. And in the Bhagavatam itself, the Lord tells Uddhav that the worship of His devotees surpasses even His own worship. To serve paaran to a fasting Shyam bhakt - is to serve bhog to Baba Himself.

Why Chadhava, and why Paaran? The chadhava offered to Baba on Gyaras - flowers, fragrance, mishri - is a sankalp: “Baba, my vrat is dedicated to You.” The sattvic paaran bhojan served to bhakts on Baras is the fulfilment of that sankalp. Anna-daan is called the greatest of all daans; when that anna reaches a fasting bhakt, its merit doubles - and a pleased Baba bestows abundance of grain and wealth upon the devotee’s household.

🛕 Offering chadhava to Baba in Ujjain on Gyaras and then serving paaran to fasting bhakts the next day - staying there for two days to perform this seva is not possible for most devotees. But through the Sri Mandir app, you can participate in both sevas from the comfort of your home. The temple’s certified priests will take sankalp with your name and gotra, perform the Gyaras chadhava and Baras paaran seva following proper vidhi-vidhaan, and you will receive video proof from both days.

🙏 Whether you observe the vrat yourself or not - break the fast of Baba’s bhakts, and claim its merit in your name. Jai Shri Shyam - book now.