Nyepi – What is it and why it’s my favourite day on the Balinese calendar!
Unless you’re a Bali regular or local resident, chances are, you’ve never heard of Nyepi, Bali’s “Day of Silence” when the whole island comes to a complete standstill for a full 24 hours. Shops, beaches, restaurants, even the airport will be closed, lights must be switched off and everyone must stay at home. Sounds crazy? In my opinion, Nyepi is the most magical time to be in Bali.
Nyepi is a Hindu celebration that marks the start of a New Year which coincides with the first new moon in the month of March. This year it falls on Thursday 3rd March 2022. It’s a day to cleanse the island from the negative energies from the previous year and start with a clean slate. Think sage stick cleansing personified!
On the eve of Nyepi, giant papier-mâché statues (called Ogoh-Ogoh) are paraded through the streets with loud music and then set on fire to banish any evil spirits away. These parades are actually a trick to draw the evil spirits to the island. But when they reach Bali on the actual day of Nyepi, they are greeted with total silence and are fooled to believe the island is uninhabited. So they depart, leaving the island cleansed and evil-free for another year ahead!
Nyepi starts at 6 am and everything is silent as can be for the next 24 hours. Everyone, including foreigners, is expected to stay indoors and be respectful of this sacred day. The Balinese fully immerse themselves in what’s known as Catur Brata Penyepian, or the 4 prohibitions of Amati Karya (no work), Amati Geni (no fire, no light, and no electricity), Amati Lelungan (no travelling), Amati Lelanguan (no entertainment). It’s the perfect time to kick back and chill out. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read, meditate, dust off an old board game or simply bask in the sunshine with only the sounds of nature all around. And in the evening, you’ll be rewarded with a dazzling starry night with zero noise and zero light pollution. Sounds pretty magical right?
Selamat Hari Raya Nyepi, everyone!
Nyepi is a Hindu celebration that marks the start of a New Year which coincides with the first new moon in the month of March. This year it falls on Thursday 3rd March 2022. It’s a day to cleanse the island from the negative energies from the previous year and start with a clean slate. Think sage stick cleansing personified!
On the eve of Nyepi, giant papier-mâché statues (called Ogoh-Ogoh) are paraded through the streets with loud music and then set on fire to banish any evil spirits away. These parades are actually a trick to draw the evil spirits to the island. But when they reach Bali on the actual day of Nyepi, they are greeted with total silence and are fooled to believe the island is uninhabited. So they depart, leaving the island cleansed and evil-free for another year ahead!
Nyepi starts at 6 am and everything is silent as can be for the next 24 hours. Everyone, including foreigners, is expected to stay indoors and be respectful of this sacred day. The Balinese fully immerse themselves in what’s known as Catur Brata Penyepian, or the 4 prohibitions of Amati Karya (no work), Amati Geni (no fire, no light, and no electricity), Amati Lelungan (no travelling), Amati Lelanguan (no entertainment). It’s the perfect time to kick back and chill out. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read, meditate, dust off an old board game or simply bask in the sunshine with only the sounds of nature all around. And in the evening, you’ll be rewarded with a dazzling starry night with zero noise and zero light pollution. Sounds pretty magical right?
Selamat Hari Raya Nyepi, everyone!