Nyepi Day in Bali
The ‘Silent Day’ in Bali’-Imagine Bali, one of the most bustling tourist destinations in the world, in complete silence for a day!! It’s true, this happens every year!
National, 2nd March, 2022 (GPN): On Nyepi day, which is New Year’s day in the Balinese Saka Calendar, the island of Bali turns off all lights and sounds, stops all traffic, deserts all worldly activities, and meditates, while complete silence and serenity reigns over the entire island. This year, Nyepi falls on Thursday, 3rd March 2022.
The name Nyepi, meaning “to keep silent” in the local language, falls on the day following the dark moon of the spring equinox.
Nyepi is a day fully dedicated to connect oneself more closely with God (Hyang Widi Wasa) through prayers and at the same time as a day of self-introspection to decide on values, such as humanity, love, patience, kindness, and others, that should be kept forever. A day that is reserved for meditation and self-reflection, anything that may interfere with that specific purpose is, therefore, strictly prohibited.
All traffic across Bali will be stopped. All shops are closed. No pedestrian traffic is allowed on the beach or on the streets. There will be local watchmen known as pecalang to ascertain that this rule is strictly obeyed. At night, all lights will have to be turned off. Hotels will close all curtains so that no ray of light shines to the outside. All sound and music indoors should be held to its lowest volume.
On the eve of Nyepi, however, celebrations are held with large papier-mache giants, called Ogoh-Ogoh, paraded on the beach accompanied by loud gamelan music. These are then torched and, it is believed, that with the conflagration, any evil spirits that have brought disease and misery to the island during the past year will have also been banished.
The best place to watch the parade of ogoh-ogoh is therefore along Kuta Beach, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Sanur. Each village will most likely make at least one Ogoh-ogoh, which are quite spectacular. In the main towns of Sanur, Kuta, Denpasar, Ubud and others, contests are held vying for the best Ogoh-Ogoh.
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