Nyepi – Balinese Day of Silence | Atlantis Bali Diving

Nyepi – Balinese Day of Silence

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Once every year, usually in March, the island of Bali fell into total silence. Nothing is open (even the airport), no one is outside, no lights are lit, and of course not a single sound through the entire island. This day is known as Nyepi.

Nyepi, which is recognized as a public holiday in Indonesia, is the Balinese “Day of Silence” that is commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to the Balinese calendar. This year it falls on Sunday, March 14th. It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali, Indonesia. Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents and tourists are not exempt from the restrictions. Most are free to do as they wish inside their hotels or houses but no one is allowed outside or making loud noises no matter what the reasons are, even the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles responding to life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

The celebration for Nyepi itself spanned through 3 days, the day before, the day, and the day after. Most Hindu Balinese villages make Ogoh-ogoh, demonic statues made of richly painted bamboo, cloth, tinsel, and styrofoam symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits or even characters from Hindu mythology. After the Ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, they are burned in the cemeteries although many are displayed in front of community halls for another month or more and sometimes even purchased by museums and collectors. All these happen on the day before Nyepi.

The day of Nyepi itself starts from 6 am until 6 am the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection, and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are no lighting fires (electricity is still working but lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure (no tv or phone services even personal wifi, some hotels or villas provide working wifi network); no traveling; and, for some, no talking or eating at all. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed. Violating the prohibitions will cause the Pecalang to capture and penalize according to how severe the violation is.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni (Relighting the Fire), is considered as the New Year’s Day for Balinese Hindu. Social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another and to perform certain religious rituals together. Fires and electricity are allowed again, and cooking of food resumes.

Photo by Aron Visuals from Pexels

Because most activities are prohibited to some extent, it is a good idea to be well prepared. Stock up foods for at least 2 days as usually most activities are ceasing the evening before Nyepi and only start to pick up again midday the day after Nyepi. Hotels and villas usually allow their guests to turn on lights as they are in secluded property, far from the eyes of the Pecalang. But for those who are staying at home or somewhere rather visible; it is a good idea to cover windows or any sort of openings that would allow lights to leak or alternatively, only use light sparingly. Tv, phone, and wifi services are also will not be available so download movies, tv shows, podcasts, and/or any sort of entertainment media.

Nyepi is also a good opportunity to stop our activities and do light meditations. The prevalent silence is calming and the absence of worldly distraction is very relaxing. Other than the silence, the other thing to be excited about is when the night falls, stars that fill the skies became much more visible; a sight rarely seen these days.

We would like to inform you that we are closed during Nyepi which falls on Sunday, March 14th. Additionally, on Saturday, March 13th, Dune Atlantis will be closing early at 3 PM and will commence operation on Monday, March 15th. Do note that because of COVID regulations from the government, the operating hours mentioned above might change suddenly. Please follow our socials for the newest update on our operating hours during Nyepi.

Ngaturang Rahajeng Nyepi Tahun Caka 1943