The Sweta (or white) Machhendranath festival takes place during a week each January. The image of Sweta Machhendranath is bathed, oiled, perfumed and painted. The living godess Kumari visits him at his elaborate temple near Asan Tol.

If Sweta Machhendranath is pleased by the music, offerings and attentions paid by his devotees, the people of the Kathmandu Valley can look forward to satisfactory rainfall during the planting season