Sithi Nakha (सिथि नखः) is a festival of the Newa community specifically dedicated to cleaning water sources, such as wells (kuwa), stone spouts (hiti), ponds, and courtyards. It is also known as Kumar Shashthi.
The word ‘Sithi’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Shashthi’, meaning ‘sixth’, and ‘Nakha’, which means ‘festival’. It is observed on the sixth day of the waxing moon of Jestha (May/June) in the Bikram Sambat calendar. It is closely tied to the beginning of the rice-planting season (Sinya Jya), making it the last major festival before the intense agricultural work begins.
There used to be a stone-throwing fight organised on this day before 1870. Inhabitants would meet on a riverbank and hold a feast. Then, they would separate into two groups and pelt rocks and stones at each other. Those injured, captured, or defeated were offered to Goddess Kali in bloody human sacrifices. This dangerous game was abolished by Prime Minister and Maharaja Jung Bahadur Rana when a non-participating onlooker, British Resident Colvin, was struck by a flying stone.
According to local historians and cultural scholars, the festival likely gained formal structure during the Malla era, when water systems and community rituals were central to urban planning in the Kathmandu Valley.
The Guthi system – a traditional Newa community trust – played a key role in maintaining ponds, hiti, and water channels, with Sithi Nakha possibly acting as the community’s annual water audit.
Environmental scientists believe that the timing of Sithi Nakha, which is just before the monsoon, is perfect for rainwater recharge. Families gather in the morning of the festival to prepare traditional Newa dishes such as Wo’-lentil pancakes and Chatamari rice crepes. The aroma of these delicacies, combined with the sounds of laughter, brings families together despite their busy schedules. However, the heart of the celebration lies in the communal activities that follow.
Neighbours, friends, and relatives come together to worship around wells, boreholes, and ponds after cleaning them beforehand. This communal clean-up is believed to help recharge underground water sources and contribute to rainwater harvesting, a practice observed in some areas.
Environmental scientists believe that the timing of Sithi Nakha, which is just before the monsoon, is perfect for rainwater recharge. Clearing silt and debris allows better percolation into aquifers, making this ritual a prime example of ancient ecological wisdom aligned with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Moreover, this tradition serves as an important reminder to discourage littering throughout the year.
This day is chosen for the cleaning of water bodies because the serpent deities are away performing their ancestral Dewali worship. The timing allows wells to be cleaned with lime without disturbing the Snake Gods. In Nepal, it is taboo to kill snakes because they fear the danger of angering the snake gods. And on this day, people refrain from digging earth lest they accidentally kill any snake.
Nagas are more than myth – they are symbols of fertility, water, and protection. The idea that their absence makes water cleaning safe reveals a spiritual understanding of biodiversity. These beliefs promote the preservation of not just snakes, but the ecological balance they represent.
As the rainy season approaches, it becomes challenging to carry out repairs on houses and temples. If maintenance isn’t completed before the rains begin, it can lead to leaks and structural issues that worsen over time. Therefore, it’s essential to undertake repairs on homes and temples before the monsoon. In keeping with this cultural practice, it has long been the tradition to finalise all necessary maintenance by the arrival of Sithi Nakha. Communal efforts, often organised by guthi (traditional social organisations dedicated to community and cultural responsibilities), have also been employed to repair public buildings such as rest houses and temples.
In a world facing growing environmental challenges, Sithi Nakha stands as a sign of hope and a model of sustainable living. According to legend, this day also celebrates the birth of the quintessential ‘rain baby’, Kumar, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On this day, people also perform a special ritual to honour Kumar Kartikeya. Just outside the doorway, they clean the ground with a mix of red mud and cow dung, then draw a red circle to mark a sacred space. They sketch a six-petalled lotus, which represents Kumar and his six faces inside the circle.
Each face stands for something meaningful, like spreading light, removing ignorance, blessing his followers, protecting sacred rituals, sharing self-knowledge, defeating evil, and lovingly looking at his bride. People then place offerings inside this sacred symbol: six kinds of cakes and six kinds of bread, along with vegetables and grains — all made with care and devotion — to thank and honour the god.
More than a day of festivities, it is a living tradition that teaches us about the importance of community and the value of our natural resources. In a world facing growing environmental challenges, Sithi Nakha stands as a sign of hope and a model of sustainable living.
Pratikshya Bhatta is a junior editor with Nepal Connect.
