Bali Blog

March 26th , 2009 marks the first day of the Balinese New Year 1931 called Nyepi Day. According to the Hindu belief, Nyepi is a day of complete silence without any noise, traffic, fire and lights. It is a day of complete stillness in the physical and spiritual worlds.

For the Hindus, Nyepi is a day spent in total silence, meditation, fasting and introspection, reflecting on the past year’s events. Hindus believe the law concerning Nyepi is “Catur Brata Penyepian” (four ascetic practices). They are “Amati Geni” (no fire, which is both literal and symbolic of mental and physical obstacles), “Amati Karya” (no activities, a precondition to meditation), “Amati Lelungaan” (no going out of the house/compound) and “Amati Lelanguan” (no entertainment).

The activities by Hindus in Bali to celebrate the Nyepi Day

• Melasti or Mekiyis or Melis, Melasti is meant to clean the pratima or arca or pralingga (statue), with symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the “Amerta” (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water sources. Three days before Nyepi, all the effigies of the Gods from all village temples are taken to the beach including Seminyak Beach (where we located) or river in long and colorful ceremonies. There, they are bathed by the Neptune of Balinese Lord, The God Baruna, before being taken back home to their shrines. The local village will have their ceremony staring at 8am – 3pm and located along the beach in front of Samaya. In order to respect the tradition, we will close the main pool during that period while Breeze Restaurant will be operate as usual.
• Tawur Kesanga - Exactly one day before Nyepi, all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, the meeting place of demons. They usually make Ogoh Ogoh (the fantastic monster or evil spirits or The Butha Kala made of bamboo) for carnival purposes. The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset.
• Nyepi Day – This is a day of absolute silence observed throughout the island and a day of introspection for Hindus.
• Ngembak Geni - One day after the Nyepi day, the people awake from stillness to begin a new day. A new page of each life is really seen from a religious point of view and has been made by each individual.

Although during that day Bali will totally in silence, most of the hotel, villa or resort still provide their service as usual with limited activities, reduced lighting and minimal noise. In order to respect the tradition, they usually suggest their guest to switch off all balcony lights for the whole night of March 26th , 2009, keep the window curtain closed and request their guest kind understanding for not going to the beach area.

However, while you are in Bali, you may still enjoy your holiday.