Sithi Nakhah, is a festival celebrated by the Newars taking this day for cleaning, clearing and repairing of water resources mainly for drinking water. The Newars also worship their clans’ deity on this occasion. However, those who organize a separate day for the purpose should not take the benefit of Sithi Nakhah to worship the clan’s deity. The day is also dedicated to worship, Kumar who is considered as a son of Mahadev and Parvati. The holy stories tale that Kumar at the young age commanded the battle against demons to save the gods.
The exact or tentative time or date when this tradition of Sithi Nakhah began, but, it is believed that this festival dates back to the Licchavi period between 400 and 750 BC. Experts who bear deep knowledge on the evolution of the Kathmandu Valley civilization agree that this festival may be linked to the early urbanization process in the Kathmandu Valley.
Moreover, around the cities – Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur and others within the valley, one can see that the natural water resources in far away from human settlements. Therefore, stone spouts have been constructed to bring water closer to the settlement. Similarly, within these water facilities, complex systems like ‘Raj Kulo’ were introduced which are now already missing.
The kings of the Licchavi period built the main system of water distribution. Accordingly, there were enough man-made ponds in Newar settlements. Each community has its own ponds, stone fountains, and wells. The ponds may have been built for emergency use as fire for example.
Apart from the religious significance of Sithi Nakhah, the environmental aspect can also be seen as it has been the custom to clean water sources like wells, spouts, and ponds on this day.
On the day of Sithi Nakhah, the Newar families prepare special dishes like “Woh”, i.e. lentil pan cake made up of four different lentil types and Chatamari (pan-fried bread made from rice flour) are served as a special dish.
Like all other Nepali festivals, this festival also carries its own significance. This festival, which is celebrated by cleaning the wells and stone-spouts etc. around the house, can be celebrated by everyone. The major need of the hour is for everyone to understand the scientific and cultural significance of these festivals and to protect and promote them as much as possible. Best wishes of Sithi Nakhah to the entire Newar community as well as to every Nepalese.
A unique blend of environment, milieu, and lifestyle, this festival has been teaching us the lesson of water and spring sanitation for centuries. Public awareness programs are being run in the Nepali community through foreign projects, from hand washing to drinking clean water. If we look closely, our ancient traditions are scientific and transformative in themselves. Good luck to Sithi Nakhah. May our water source and mind be both pure and clean. (By Ram Dangol)
