Have a hearty Rajasthani breakfast (e.g. kachori & subzi) at Rawat Mishthan Bhandar or similar; good fuel for the drive to Khatu. Open early in the morning—confirm local branch hours before leaving.
Main pilgrimage: darshan of Lord Shyam (Barbarika). The temple is very popular — morning darshan is calmer; typical temple timings are ~6:00am–12:30pm and 4:00pm–9:00pm, but please confirm locally.
Simple vegetarian thali or local dhaba close to the temple — good to restore energy after darshan. Many small eateries serve home‑style food around the temple complex.
Short local sightseeing: climb to vantage points, visit nearby small temples and the historical fort area for local views and photos; check local access/timings (usually daytime).
Attend evening aarti or bhajan if available; otherwise relax at your guesthouse. Temple evening timings often start around 4:00pm, with aarti around sunset—confirm current schedule.
Visit the Hanuman (Balaji) temple at Salasar, famous for fulfilling wishes. Typical opening hours are around 5:00am–9:00pm; mornings and late evenings are busy—arrive early for a smoother darshan.
You can overnight near Salasar (easy next‑day start) or start the long drive toward Ujjain today to shorten the next day’s travel—decide based on your stamina and time available.
This is a long haul (often 7–10 hours by road depending on route and starting point). Start early, carry water and snacks, and plan fuel/stop points. Consider breaking the journey with an overnight stop if preferred.
Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar (special ash aarti) is a highlight — typically very early (around 4:00am). It’s extremely popular; arrival well before the start is essential and rules/timings change frequently—confirm and get any required passes in advance.
After the special aarti, return for general darshan; the temple overall opens very early and remains open much of the day—verify current darshan windows before travel.
Confirm onward travel/return arrangements; buy any prasad souvenirs and prepare for departure. If staying, attend evening aarti again for a different experience.