Nyepi – The Balinese Day of Silence

The Balinese Day of Silence called Nyepi is one of the most important holidays of the Balinese Hindus. They celebrate it as their beginning new year on the first new moon in Spring. This year, Nyepi will be celebrated from 6 am on Thursday 3rd until 6 am on Friday 4th of March 2022. For one day the whole island of Bali becomes still, there are even no planes coming in or leaving the airport.

The Balinese use this day for being in silence, meditation, self-reflection and fasting. No work, no entertainment or pleasure, no travels, no lights or fires (except candles) are allowed. The streets are empty and there are little noises to be heard. The dominant sounds during Neypi day are the sounds of nature, the birds singing, the ocean waves coming to the shore or the wind blowing in the trees. The day of silence has its very own beauty where everything slows down. 

Usually, during the weeks before Nyepi, the Balinese youth is eager to prepare the Ogoh-Ogoh, demon like figures, sometimes even several meters high and scary to look at with long fingers, tongue sticking out, wild hair and a crazy look in the eyes. The Ogoh-Ogoh represent evil forces or mythological creatures. The day before Nyepi, the Ogoh-Ogoh will be carried around on the shoulders of a number of Balinese men in the village streets, twirled around and shaken up and down, accompanied by Gamelan musicians walking by their sides. This procedure is intended to bewilder the evil spirits so that they go away and cease their harm on human beings. 

It is one of the most spectacular events in Bali, not only for the Balinese to be part of, but also the tourists and expats staying in Bali who come and watch in awe and wonder. The main purpose of the making of Ogoh-Ogoh is the purification of the natural environment and clearing of the spiritual plane from any darkness accumulated. Unfortunately, the Ogoh-Ogoh parades are still on hold this year.

For the Balinese, the day of silence is an important mark in the traditional Saka calendar. The only people seen outside on Nyepi are the Pecalang, traditional village patrols who ensure the prohibitions are being followed. Although it is a Hindu holiday, officially everyone on the island – including tourists – has to follow the regulations on that day. 

Until now, Bali was the only place on earth with a full day where everyone is supposed to stay inside their homes or hotels. Since the beginning of the Pandemic, people all over the world were inevitably forced to slow down and reflect, more than ever before. The practices of Yoga, meditation, ritual and self-care are important tools for us as we cope with times of uncertainty and change. 

May this Nyepi day of silence be a reminder for us to move from fear back to love. May the light prevail over darkness on our beloved planet earth. 

For any last-minute bookings for the Nyepi holiday, please contact us.