Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to Bali's calendar. It is a day spent in total silence, meditation, fasting and introspection, reflecting on the past year’s events.
2. Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is performed in order to vanquish the negative elements and create balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual also meant to appease Batara Kala by Pecaruan offering. Devout Hindu Balinese villages usually make OGOH-OGOH, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh.
3. Third, Nyepi is a day spent in total silence, meditation, fasting and introspection, reflecting on the
past year’s events. On this special day, the Balinese Hindu are requested to perform Catur Brata Penyepian (Four Ascetic Practices) consisting of the following:
One night before Nyepi day is the Bhuta Yajna Ritual where the devout Hindu Balinese villages usually make OGOH-OGOH, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh.
Hunting Ogoh-Ogoh outfit (no camouflage required),
More details of the tshirt here
I really don't want to put you all to sleep, so here are images from my Ogoh Ogoh hunting. Detailed story about Nyepi down below if you guys are interested.
Hunting Ogoh-Ogoh outfit (no camouflage required),
I really don't want to put you all to sleep, so here are images from my Ogoh Ogoh hunting. Detailed story about Nyepi down below if you guys are interested.
This year Saka New Year is 23rd March, the Rituals prior to Nyepi are:
1. First, The Melasti Ritual is performed at the 3-4 previous day. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea. The ritual performed in Pura (Balinese temple) near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belongs to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea.
1. First, The Melasti Ritual is performed at the 3-4 previous day. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea. The ritual performed in Pura (Balinese temple) near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belongs to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea.
2. Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is performed in order to vanquish the negative elements and create balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual also meant to appease Batara Kala by Pecaruan offering. Devout Hindu Balinese villages usually make OGOH-OGOH, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh.
3. Third, Nyepi is a day spent in total silence, meditation, fasting and introspection, reflecting on the
Amati Geni: No fire/light, including no electricity (forbidden to light any fire or lamp which are both symbolic of mental and physical obstacles).
Amati Karya: No working, forbidden to work or do any physical activities, a pre-conditional to meditation.
Amati Lelunganan: No travelling, forbidden to go out of the house compound, it is advised to stay in and concentrate the mind or meditate.
Amati Lelanguan: Fasting and no revelry/self-entertainment (forbidden to hold any entertainment, to purify the mind and soul).
4. Fourth, The Yoga/Brata Ritual starts at 6:00 AM and continues to 6:00 AM the next day.
5. Fifth, The Ngembak Agni/Labuh Brata Ritual is performed for all Hindus to forgive each other and to welcome the new days to come.
6. Sixth and finally, The Dharma Shanti Rituals is performed as the Nyepi Day or "Day of Silence." While Nyepi/Silent Day itself observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted.
On the main rituals of the Nyepi day (seclusion day), the main restrictions are: no lighting fires; no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty - total empty! Except for dogs probably running around,there are no noise from TVs or radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The harbors around Bali and the airport will be closed for domestic and international passenger flights. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, Pecalang are traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.
Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. No one is allowed in the beaches area or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.
With a total blackout from 6.00 am until the next day 6.00 am, sometimes the road is open at 8.00 am. So its no electricity, no vehicle meaning no CO2 produced, no fire/ gas meaning reducing pollution for total 24 hours. I'll say EARTH HOUR CAN EAT THEIR HEART OUT. The whole island participate and it was so magical and so beautiful.... all you hear is the sound of nature and at night the stars never shine so bright!
Of course I cheat most of the time, by fly to another city or another country one day before Nyepi, but some years I am staying in and enjoying the silence, the Nyepi.
On the main rituals of the Nyepi day (seclusion day), the main restrictions are: no lighting fires; no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty - total empty! Except for dogs probably running around,there are no noise from TVs or radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The harbors around Bali and the airport will be closed for domestic and international passenger flights. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, Pecalang are traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.
Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. No one is allowed in the beaches area or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.
With a total blackout from 6.00 am until the next day 6.00 am, sometimes the road is open at 8.00 am. So its no electricity, no vehicle meaning no CO2 produced, no fire/ gas meaning reducing pollution for total 24 hours. I'll say EARTH HOUR CAN EAT THEIR HEART OUT. The whole island participate and it was so magical and so beautiful.... all you hear is the sound of nature and at night the stars never shine so bright!
Of course I cheat most of the time, by fly to another city or another country one day before Nyepi, but some years I am staying in and enjoying the silence, the Nyepi.
