Newars Mark Sithi Nakha with Sacred Rituals and Seasonal Preparations

Photo: Beeju Maharjan / TDN

Lalitpur, June 1, 2025: The Newar community is celebrating Sithi Nakha today with great enthusiasm, marking the final cultural festival in their annual calendar. This traditional observance falls on the sixth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Jeth, according to the lunar calendar, and is also recognized as Kumar Sashti—the birthday of the Hindu deity Kumar.

Sithi Nakha holds significant religious and cultural value among Newars. It heralds the onset of the monsoon season and symbolizes the transition to Sinya Jya, the rice planting period—a vital phase for farmers. For this reason, the festival is regarded as the last celebration before the busy agricultural season begins.

A central aspect of the festival is the ritual cleaning of water sources such as wells, ponds, and natural springs. With the rainy season approaching, these water bodies are at risk of pollution from runoff and debris. The cleaning tradition helps preserve water hygiene and ensures the proper flow of springs, many of which remain dry or clogged during winter.