Nyepi: Bali’s way to celebrate New Year in absolute silence

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   Balinese Hindu will celebrate the 1933 Caka New Year on March 5 2011, and it will be a celebration for Absolute Silence Day throughout the day and night. Held on the day after the spring equinox, usually in March or April, the Nyepi Day of Silence takes places from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. the following morning.

In the three days prior to Nyepi Day; Mekiyis or Melasti ceremony which the procession of purification effigies of Hindu to the beach; a great sacrificial ceremony offered to the underworld spirits for not disturb humans during the Nyepi day.
One day prior to Nyepi Day, a Pengrupukan; the New Year eve which ogoh-ogoh, the monstrous paper-mache of Bhuta kala, evil spirits or the personification of negative forces, is an essential part of this Pengrupukan ritual, then followed with Tawur Agung Kesanga, the island is exorcised from these evil-looking ogoh-ogohs with colorful features that symbolize the underworld spirit that must be removed from the island in order to maintain peace and harmony for the next year ahead. Most of Bali’s streets will be closed for the parade. At sunset a procession carries the ogoh-ogoh through the main part of the village to ward off all devils that may hide in the dark corners, those ogoh-ogohs then brought to the nearest beach to be set ablaze.
For most tourists, Nyepi is meaning a day of 24-hour confinement and full of prohibition and restricted activities as no one is allowed to leave their resort or accommodations, nor go to the beach.
All restaurants, stores, and businesses throughout the island are closed on Nyepi. Tourists are asked to kindly respect this Balinese tradition and to cooperate by returning to their rooms in the early evening and by drawing their curtains tight so as not to let any light escape to attract wandering spirits.

All people in Bali are required to remain in their homes and observe the basic laws of Nyepi: no driving, no working, no eating, no noise-making, no visible lights, and no entertainments.

Bali government released several regulation concerned over the Nyepi day procedure in Bali.

• People will not be allowed to go out during the day unless it matter of urgency and emergency.
• No flights out of Bali for the day, unless flight into and transit flight to Bali, and transit passengers will not be allowed to wander off the airport and they must stay at airport until tomorrow.
• Harbors and terminals are closed for the day. Every ships and ferries out from Bali and into Bali have to be delayed for the day after.
• Hospitals, police stations, fire stations and ambulances are still on duty.

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