Sithi Nakha

सिथी नखः

View on map
MusicKathmandu Valley
DatesDates TBA · Usually SpringCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsSithi Nakha combines devotional observance
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Sithi Nakha in Kathmandu Valley

Sithi Nakha is a Newar festival held on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Jestha, marking the start of the monsoon farming season and honoring Kumar, the son of Shiva and Parvati also known as Kartikeya. Communities traditionally use the day for cleaning wells, ponds and stone water spouts ahead of the rains.

The Kathmandu Valley's traditional water supply, long before piped municipal systems, depended on an intricate network of wells, ponds and carved stone spouts called hiti, fed by ancient canals and aquifers that Newar engineers developed over centuries.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Sithi Nakha combines devotional observance with practical civic labor in a way distinctive among Newar festivals: alongside worship of Kumar, families and neighborhoods traditionally clean and maintain shared water sources, wells, ponds and the carved stone spouts called hiti that have supplied Kathmandu Valley communities for centuries, before the monsoon season makes such water sources harder to maintain

02

The mystery stays covered

Traditional meals eaten on the day often feature beans and legumes, reflecting the festival's position at the agricultural threshold between the dry season and the start of the rice-planting cycle

03

The city starts moving

The festival's blend of ritual and communal infrastructure maintenance reflects older Newar civic organization, where religious observance and shared resource upkeep were closely linked

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

also known as Kartikeya or Skanda

Water and renewal

Living ritual

is worshipped on Sithi Nakha as a warrior deity and son of Shiva and Parvati

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the day is treated as auspicious for both devotional acts and practical community labor

The local code

Living ritual

The tradition of cleaning shared water infrastructure reflects the Kathmandu Valley's historic reliance on stone spouts

Tradition 5

Living ritual

wells and ponds fed by an ancient system of aquifers and canals

Tradition 6

Living ritual

maintenance of which was traditionally organized through community and guthi structures tied to the religious calendar

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually Spring

Getting around

For Sithi Nakha, plan transport around the exact Kathmandu Valley venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, practical clothing is appropriate, particularly if observing or participating in water-source cleaning activities, which can involve mud and standing water.

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Sithi Nakha, stay near the part of Kathmandu Valley you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

NPR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map27.64 N, 85.36 EOpen in Google Maps

Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Nearest airportKTM — Tribhuvan
TransportFor Sithi Nakha, plan transport around the exact Kathmandu Valley venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Sithi Nakha, stay near the part of Kathmandu Valley you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kathmandu Valley via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kathmandu Valley, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, practical clothing is appropriate, particularly if observing or participating in water-source cleaning activities, which can involve mud and standing water.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Nepal and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Sithi Nakha?

Sithi Nakha is listed for Multiple months · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Sithi Nakha take place?

The festival is listed in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLnepalipatro.com.np
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually Spring
Source statusOfficial source linked
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