The Day of Silence, also known as Nyepi, is the start of Caka – the Bali
year. This is a religious ceremony that is bigger and more lavish than
any others. There is a deep mythology that is completely different to
any others in the Indian sub-continent. The origins date all the way
back to the mythical times of the evil spirits, Gods, superheroes and
witches. There will be some ceremonial for celebrating Nyepi Day (the Start of
CAKA – Balinese New Year), such as Melasti, Ogoh-ogoh, etc.
Melasti: Throwing Impurity and Taking Holy Water of Life
This is the start of the celebrations and is celebrated by each of the
villages and towns. Symbolically, it is the spring cleaning for the
homes to rid them of spirits and prepare for the next day. Effigies of
each of the Gods are hauled into the seas and rivers for a ritual
bathing and as offerings. Prayers are also said. For those just
visiting, this is just the start of the celebrations!
Ogoh-Ogoh
Ogoh-ogoh is the time for the first sighting of the fearsome Ogoh-ogoh – huge papier-mâché effigies of evil monsters. Ogoh-ogoh are carried through towns and villages in a traditional
procession to the cacophony of deafening klaxons, gamelan music,
drummers music. The basic idea is to make as much noise as is humanly
possible for scaring off all evil spirits.
In
the evening (dark) these effigies are ceremoniously burnt, followed by
much communal debauchery into the night. Dancing, drinking and feasting
takes place in a rather chaotic fashion, all with the aim of driving
these evil spirits far, far away.
The Day of Silence Nyepi 2014 in Bali
It then moves onto Nyepi, which is completely different! After a full day and night of celebrations and people everywhere, the whole town will be deserted. The story involves fooling the evil spirits to make them think that the town is empty and it definitely makes it look like that. Three million people all disappear and make the town look like it is the shell of what it used to be. You won’t see a person or hear anyone around.
This isn’t the day to visit
or leave Bali. Nor is it a day to take a walk around. The airport is shut to all but transit flights. Motor vehicles are
allowed on the streets only for emergencies. Hotel guests are confined
to the grounds of their resorts. Everything, from the smallest shops to
labyrinthine government offices, is shut down.
The only
people on the streets are the Pecalang (the Nyepi police) to make sure
there is nobody else out, even tourists! The police will firmly and
politely escort people back to their own homes or hotels and you will
have no access to water or food for the whole day. If you will be in
Bali on that day, make sure you are prepared with water and munchies to
survive the day. Some of the larger hotels will have some electricity
and food but you will feel like a prisoner for the day.
Experiencing Nyepi 2014 in Bali
Nyepi, for some people this day can be such a boring day. Some hate it, some also just love it. Some people who mostly not originally from Bali, feel better to leave the island, and go for a vacation. Back to Java or some trip out to Lombok or other island can be an alternative. They prefer to fill the national holiday into a days of traveling and relaxing outside Bali. That's just a fair reason, because on the day Bali will not offering their beaches, not any cultural performance for tourist, or even their road! Bali will just be a day at your home, flat, or hotel , nobody is allowed to go outside the house, no electricity, radio, TV or TV Cable stations are all closed! all is blackout!!
If you
stay in Bali on the Day of Silence, just go Along with the day and enjoy
the relaxing time. This could be a great time for those staying in the
busiest places, like Kuta, so you can get your bearings and enjoy the
quiet for the day. Nyepi is definitely something different and original
and you will never experience it anywhere else in the world!
