Nyepi Day (the Hindu Day of Silence) March 7,
2019
The Unique New Year Celebration on the Island of Bali
By 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
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!
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.” Traveler
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.”
If you missed out the celebrations at this year's. Plan
ahead for next year’s Saka New Year 1942, on March 24, 2020.
Stay tuned for the following years' Nyepi dates:
March 14, 2021
March 3, 2022
March 22, 2023
March 11, 2024
March 29, 2025
Happy Nyepi and Happy New Year
