Kathmandu, June 8

People from the Newar community today celebrated Sithi Nakha, a festival in which water sources such as ponds, wells and stone spouts are cleaned in their areas.

Minister of Water Supply Bina Magar inaugurated Wash Mela, a programme aimed at spreading awareness of cleanliness and hygiene, today in Basantapur to mark the cultural event. Sithi Nakha, which is said to have started around 400 to 750 AD has become popular among local denizens for the past few years, mainly due to scarcity of water in Kathmandu valley and their awareness level of safe drinking water.

A total of 12 ancient spouts and historic Sapta Patal  Pond in Lalitpur was cleaned at the initiative of GUTHI, an NGO that  works in the field of water and sanitation. Various programmes were held in the capital to mark the day.

Chair of GUTHI Prakash Amatya said Sithi Nakha should be celebrated as a national event to spread awareness about cleaning water sources. “People need to clean their water tanks at least once a year,” he added.

Meanwhile, activists demanded that the day be celebrated as National Water Conservation and Sanitation Day.