Nyepi Or Seclusion Day In Bali
(oleh: Administrator - on: Mar 05, 2008 for country-city: Indonesia-Bali)
One of the ceremonies held by Hinduism in Bali is Nyepi or Day of Silence, which is celebrated every New Year on Balinese calendar called Tahun Baru Caka. On 2008, Nyepi falls on March 7,2008. On this event Balinese people are not allowed to do some activities, such as Amati Geni or no fire, amati karya or no working, amati lelulangan or no traveling, amati lelanguan or fasting. Due to some of those prohibitions, the situation in Bali different enough from its usual. There is no crowd on the street and almost all the offices, shops and entertainment center are closed. It is observed from 6 a.m until 6 a.m the next morning.
Though the event is for Hindu people, but other people including tourists are prohibited to go outside their houses or their hotels during the day. The only people who are allowed to be outside the houses are the men called Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol along the street to control the condition.
On that day, usually Balinese people do the activity called Tapa Brata or yoga. As Nyepi is the day of reflection, Balinese spend their time to reflect their life for year. It is aimed that they will be better on the coming of new year.
There are some ceremonies precede Nyepi day. 2 days before Nyepi, Balinese go to the beach nearby to purify their pratimas or God symbols. After having some ceremonies at the beach Balinese believe that those things become sacred. Then they bring back to the temple. This ceremony is known as Melasti or Melis. A day before Nyepi is known as Pengerupukan, Balinese bring the some kind of fruits as the offering,it is called Gebogan. On this ceremony, pemangku or a religion leader will lead the prayer. Each people will get tirta or holy water that is used to purify their house and the surrounding. The most interesting one is the march of big statues called Ogoh-Ogoh. Those features represent the evil demon that are eased away in order not to bother Balinese while they celebrate
Nyepi.
On Nyepi, Balinese stay inside their house doing nothing but reflect their previous days and make a plan to have a better life in the future.
Travelers are not allowed to go outside of the hotel area neither swimming on the beach. Most hotels in Bali minimize the lights and sounds within the hotel complex.
