Nyepi Day (the Hindu Day of Silence) March 17, 2018
The Unique New Year Celebration on
the Island of Bali
Author, Ekarini
For more info about Bali: Bali Travel Info
Photo: Ekarini
Bali is not
only about beaches, luxury hotels, spas, and shopping. Bali offers more than
just the luxurious. If you missed some of Bali’s magic and Bali’s unique
traditions, you should make your next flight reservation. Bali can transport
you to a special place you have never experienced before. Bali is a magical
island and the only one in this world. It is worth to experience Bali at least
once in your lifetime.
“Bali for
me, is not so much about seeing and doing, there’s plenty to see and do, but
feeling the place.” Traveler
Photo:
Sportourism.id
Nyepi is the Balinese "Day of Silence" that is celebrated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to the Balinese calendar.
The New Year
celebration that you have never seen anywhere in the world. Balinese people celebrate the Saka new year
with the Bali Day of Silence, a very unique way to celebrate and welcome a new
year. This is an ultimate and quietest
day of the year ( silence it means, “ All of the island's inhabitants abide by
a set of local rules, which brings all routine activities to a complete halt.”)
All roads on the island of Bali will be no traffic and nobody steps out of
their homes , and this year government will shut down the internet connection (Bali switches off internet services for 24 hours for New Year 'quiet reflection' ).
My
suggestion, Nyepi is worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime, especially
since the preceding and following days offer rare highlights to behold!
Ekarini's Father (A priest at the temple)
Photo: Ekarini
Photo: Ekarini
Before ‘The
Silence’Day, you will see highlighted rituals essentially start three days
prior to Nyepi Day. You don’t want to
miss colorful processions known as the Melasti or Mekiis pilgrimages. Pilgrims
from many village temples all over Bali convey heirlooms and sacred sacraments on
long walks towards the coastlines where extravagance purification ceremonies
take place.
It is one of
the best times to capture with your camera “ the iconic Balinese processions in
motion, as parasols, banners and small effigies offer a cultural spectacle.”
It is one of
the best times to capture with your camera “ the iconic Balinese processions in
motion, as parasols, banners and small effigies offer a cultural spectacle.”
The day
before Nyepi day
On the Saka New Year’s Eve, it is all blaring
noise, excitement, and happiness takes place this celebration. “Every Balinese
household starts the evening with the blessings of the family temple and
continues with a ritual called the Pengrupukan where each member participates
in ‘chasing away’ malevolent forces, known as Bhuta Kala, from their compounds
– hitting pots and pans or any other loud instruments along with a fiery bamboo
torch. These ‘spirits’ are later manifested as the Ogoh-Ogoh to be paraded in
the streets.”
On the
street parades, bamboo cannons and
occasional firecrackers fill the air with flames and smoke. The Nyepi Eve
parade usually starts at around 19:00 local time.
The Nyepi
(The Day of Silence)
The Whole
Island Shuts Down... However, on Nyepi Day, complete calm all over the island. “The
Balinese Hindus follow a ritual called the Catur Brata Penyepian, roughly means
the ‘Four Nyepi Prohibitions’. These include Amati Geni or ‘no fire’, Amati
Lelungan or ‘no travel’, Amati Karya ‘no activity’, and Amati Lelanguan ‘no
entertainment’.”
“Some
consider it is a time for total relaxation and contemplation, for others, a
chance for Mother Nature to ‘reboot’ herself after 364 days of human pestering.
No lights are turned on at night – total darkness and seclusion goes along with
this new moon island-wide, from 06:00 to 06:00. No motor vehicles whatsoever
are allowed on the streets, except ambulances and police patrols and
emergencies. As a hotel guest, you are confined to your hotel premises, but
free to continue to enjoy the hotel facilities as usual. Traditional community
watch patrols or Pecalang/traditional security enforces the rules of Nyepi,
patrolling the streets by day and night in shifts.”
The Day
after Nyepi Day
This day
called Ngembak Geni, referred to as Balinese starts a new year with new and
fresh and resolution or hope for a better life. On this day, you should visit the village of
Sesetan in southern Denpasar for the Omed-Omedan ritual, roughly known as the
‘festival of smooches’. “This is a much-localized event, pertaining only to
Sesetan's Banjar Kaja community. Youths take to the street as water is splashed
and sprayed by villagers, and the highlight being two throngs of boys and
girls, in a tug-of-war-like scene. Successive pairs in the middle are pushed to
a smooch with each shove and push. Interested in experiencing these rare
highlights in Bali.”
Check out
some hotel’s deals on the island.
According to
Jakarta Post, here are Six hotels in Bali to enjoy Nyepi:
Belmond Jimbaran Puri
This year, Belmond Jimbaran Puri in Jimbaran is offering a
two-night package for Nyepi.
With a starting price of Rp 8,270,350 (US$601.26) net, the
promotion includes a three-course lunch, three-course dinner and a daily buffet
breakfast.
As for those staying in the villa, the package also includes
daily afternoon tea and a butler service.
Contact: 0361 701605.
Amankila
Amankila in Karangasem has prepared a Nyepi Weekend Getaway
package for those wanting to catch a glimpse of the sacred day.
On March 16, the hotel will host a Mecaru ceremony, a ritual
of cleaning the home and village to appease evil spirits that may disturb the
harmony of the universe.
At 6 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy an ogoh-ogoh (menacing-looking
giant statues) parade, which will be followed by dinner.
On Nyepi day, Amankila has prepared two yoga sessions. At
night, guests can enjoy a mindful dining experience under dimly lit
candles.
Contact: indonesia.res@aman.com
The Laguna Resort & Spa
Those eyeing an escape to Nusa Dua may want to consider The
Laguna Resort & Spa.
For Nyepi, the resort offers a special promotion called the
Blissful Nyepi Escape, which includes a daily breakfast, one-time lunch buffet
and one-time dinner buffet for two as well as in-resort activities.
The package is applicable for a minimum two-night stay with
rates starting from Rp 3,500,000 per night.
Contact: 0361 771 327
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua is offering an exclusive Nyepi
package with prices starting from Rp 1,800,000 per night.
This special offer includes a daily SuperFoodsRx breakfast,
a buffet dinner on Nyepi day for two adults and two children as well as fun
activities at The Westin Family Kids Club.
On the eve of Nyepi, the resort will be hosting a beachfront
traditional dinner, featuring local cuisine and cultural entertainment. The
dinner is priced at Rp 450,000++ per person.
Contact: 0361 771 906
Bisma Eight Ubud
Luxury boutique hotel Bisma Eight in Ubud is offering a
special two-night package for Nyepi.
Priced at US$345, the promotion includes a daily breakfast,
daily afternoon tea and one Balinese dinner set for two and an hour session of
the Cocktail Masterclass for two.
Contact: 0361 479 2888
Harper Kuta
Harper Kuta Bali is offering a two-night Nyepi package.
Priced at Rp 1,488,000++, the package features a daily
buffet breakfast, a one-time buffet lunch and a one-time buffet dinner for two
people on Nyepi day.
For Nyepi day, the hotel will also feature in-house
activities and a selection of box office movies for guests.
Contact: 0361 846 9869
Photo: The Silence Day by Ekarini
If you
missed out the celebrations at this year's. Plan ahead for next year’s Saka New
Year 1941, on March 7, 2019.
Stay tuned
for the following years' Nyepi dates:
March 24,
2020
March 14,
2021
March 3,
2022
March 22,
2023
March 11, 2024
March 29,
2025
Happy Nyepi
and Happy New Year
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