Balinese New Year, Nyepi Day

Bali island is different than any other region in the 

world because there are extraordinarytraditions on this island.

One of the unique days in the world will take place in March 21, 2015  in Bali. It is known as Hari Raya Nyepi, the silent day. This is the celebration of New Year according to Icaka calendar that used by the Hinduism followers in Indonesia especially who live in Bali. Remember, Silent Day only in Bali. 

Pura Tanah Lot (Balinese Temple). Image: id.wikipedia.org

Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. 

This tradition is very unique. Please inform me if you find a silent day in other country.

Beautiful Melasti ceremony on the beach. Image: indonesia.travel

On the silent day the followers of Hinduism will do a special ritual by not doing four types of activities namely no fire or electric, no work, no travel and no entertainment. The silent day is going to be lasting for 24 hours. Why do they take such an unpopular action? According to Hinduism’s belief the action has an important meaning as a self control effort, so that in the coming new year everything will be better.

Ogoh Ogoh parade. Image: blog.baliswissvilla.com

 Although the new year you will enjoy this Bali serene and quiet atmosphere, but three days before Nyepi, you can watch the Melasti ceremony. The ceremony was very beautiful and colorful. This sacred ceremony will start from a Hindu temple, and continued with a beautiful parade of the temple to the river or beach.

And, the most fun is the day before Nyepi Day, you will be amazed by the Ogoh Ogoh parade around the village and town in Bali. Ogoh Ogoh is tangible figurines of monsters, or demons, then paraded in the afternoon by the young people in the whole village, and in the afternoon all the Ogoh ogoh will be burned, burned as a symbol of the devil or the dark forces, so that mankind free from interference devil and the temptations of evil.

If you have had a plan to travel to Bali this month, don’t miss this good occasion. Just give this silent day a try and you surely will get the very valuable experience. But don’t forget to prepare everything to face this scarce event. Get ready because within 24 hours you will live without electric. There is also not any transportation within 24 hours for no employees going to office or workplace. Moreover there is not any entertainment to enjoy. You will only live in your room of the hotel you hire without looking on a television set or listening to a radio. 

The entire radio, national and local TV will not broadcast the show in Bali, as well asdomestic and international flights at the airport closed for one day.

Silent day on a secret beach in Bali. Image: nikkobali.com

You may have a question to ask. What should I do along this silent day? Just do nothing but relax. Enjoy the silent day with meditation and yoga samadi, then you will get more healthy and happy in your soul and mind. 

What do you think if the silent day occurred more than once in a year? Just imagine when all of the people in the world follow this action. It can be a great contribution in saving our world, less polution and save more energy. You will enjoy clean air and amazing blue sky.

Can you organize a new community to create a silent day in your country, so we can save our planet. Hari Raya Nyepi is a Balinese way to prevent Global Warming.