Maru Hiti (KAT0970), located at the Maru Ṭola, is one of the best-known stone spouts in the Kathmandu Valley. It was probably constructed as a part of the Kāṣṭhamaṇḍapa and lies on its western side on the road to Kaṅga Ajimā Temple. The close proximity to Kāṣṭhamaṇḍapa and Maru Gaṇeśa Temple makes this Hiti historically and culturally significant. There are no inscriptions or other historical records to date the initial construction of the Hiti. A popular Newar folk song ‘Rājamati, Kumati…’ from the early nineteenth century mentions it.

Although many waterspouts in the Kathmandu Valley have lost their significance, Maru Hiti continues to be a space for worship and social interaction. Devotees, who participate in the religious procession of upākhā, taking place on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Bhādra, have to wash their faces in this Hiti. The Maru Hiti Club is a local youth club that cleans and takes care of the Hiti time to time. According to Shankar Maharjan Dongol, the former president of the Club, the Hiti was restored fifteen years ago. Concrete areas in the Hiti premises were removed and replaced with glazed bricks.

The Hiti was a resting place for the travellers entering the core city of Kathmandu via Kaṅkeśvarī. It has five conduits, two of them respectively facing west and east, and three facing south. The water conduits are decorated with multiple stone statues. Two of these five conduits are still functional and still have flowing water. The Hiti premises used to be cleaned during the Sithinakha Festival held on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Jyeṣṭha. This tradition hasnot been practiced for some years. There also used to be a Guthi of Mahajans who provided food for those people who participated in the cleaning but today, the Guthi is inactive.

For information on the Maru Hiti, please visit DANAM.