Top Reasons to Visit Bali During Nyepi..

I always wanted to visit Bali during Nyepi. It is always on my bucket list since a very long time ago. This year I will fly to Bali for Nyepi day. And I will see Nyepi celebration by myself.

Every religion or culture all over the world has their own way to define and celebrate their new year. Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated Saka new year according to the Balinese calendar. It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali. And in 2016, it fell on March 9.  Nyepi is a public holiday in Indonesia. Nyepi is meant to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, eg humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc., that should kept forever. And also a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. Where people stay home and are not allowed to use lights, start fires, work, travel or enjoy entertainment.

2008-03-06_1801.32_Ogoh_crowd.JPG by mattspong. Creative Commons Attribution

Celebrations during Nyepi:

• Tawur Kesanga
  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 carry an Ogoh-Ogoh (large monsters or evil spirits or the Butha Kala made of bamboo) during a parade. The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits. The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. In the evening, after the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, they start making noises and light burning torches which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/janumedia/

• Nyepi
  On Nyepi day, every street is quiet. There are nobody doing their normal daily activities. Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security) will maintain street security and stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. Pecalang wear a black uniform and a Udeng or Destar (a Balinese traditional "hat" that is usually used in ceremony). Hotels are exempt from Nyepi's rigorous practices but streets outside will be closed to both pedestrians and vehicles (except for airport shuttles or emergency vehicles). Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works. 

• Ngembak Agni
   The day after Nyepi, Ngembak Agni is the day when Nyepi day is over and Hindus societies usually visit to forgive each other and doing the Dharma Santhi. Dharma Santhi are activities of reading Sloka, Kekidung, Kekawin, etc.(ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics).

The whole day in Nyepi day is simply filled with silence, the barking of a few dogs, the shrill of insect. Once a hectic island but only once a year Bali will be a very quite island. So wherever you happen to be staying on Nyepi day in Bali, this will be a good day to relax and have your mind and spirit refreshed. Indeed Nyepi day has made Bali a unique island.