Visa Bali Info – The Atmosphere of Nyepi Day in Bali
A very important moment for Hindus in commemorating the Saka New Year is Nyepi Day.
Nyepi Day was born from a Saliwahana calendar system from India, which falls in March. However, the date may vary according to the Hindu calendar.
This New Year’s celebration is actually unique, New Year’s is usually celebrated with great fanfare. However, the new Nyepi year for Hindus is celebrated without doing anything, instead it is done by meditating.
Well, you can find this uniqueness in Bali. With the majority of the people being Hindus, the atmosphere of Nyepi can really be felt on this Island of the Gods. How is the atmosphere of Nyepi in Bali? See the review below.
Nyepi time
What you need to know about Nyepi A day lasts 24 hours from sunrise, which usually starts at 06.00 WITA.
The Balinese Hindu community also usually performs Tapa Brata Penyepian which will be completed 24 hours later, namely at 06.00 WITA the next day.
Series of Nyepi Day Traditions for Balinese Hindus
Melasti
Ahead of Nyepi, Balinese Hindus who celebrate Nyepi will perform the Melasti tradition. Melasti is also commonly called “Melis” or “Mekiyis” in Bali.
When carrying out this tradition, everyone will dress in all white and bring hundreds of Pratima and Pralingga (a vessel or medium in the form of humans and animals to make contact with Ida Sang Hyang Widhi) to go down to the beach. The sprinkling of sea water (tirta amarta) is believed by the Balinese to add to the sanctity of the Pratima and Pralingga.
Tawur Agung Kesanga
After carrying out the Melasti tradition, there is Tawur Agung Kesanga which aims to cleanse Bhuana Agung (the universe) and Bhuana Alit (humans, animals and plants).
Tawur Agung Kesanga has the concept of Tri Hita Karana (human relationships with God, nature, and other humans).
Tawur Agung Kesanga is usually performed in a temple or a large area. However, there are also Hindus who apply it on a small scale in homes with the ceremonial name Mecaru.
Ogoh-ogoh
The thing that many have been waiting for is the ogoh-ogoh parade. Even though it is said to be a parade, this is an important part of Nyepi Day for Hindus in Bali.
After the Tawur Agung Kesanga is carried out, all Hindus in Bali will burn the ogoh-ogoh, this ogoh-ogoh is a giant sculptural art of bamboo and paper depicting bad elements (a kind of evil spirit or darkness) that must be destroyed by mankind.
The ogoh-ogoh statue is made with a frightening stature to depict all the ugliness that exists in the world. The ogoh-ogoh are then paraded around the village accompanied by torches, traditional dances, and music from the Baleganjur gamelan.
This ogoh-ogoh performance is an interesting spectacle when you are on vacation in Bali just before Nyepi.
“Nyepi”
After undergoing a series of solemn ceremonies above, Hindus enter the heart of this Nyepi day itself.
You will feel a quiet and peaceful atmosphere during Nyepi. Balinese Hindus fast and meditate for 24 hours without any activity.
Balinese Hindus are required to practice Catur Brata Penyepian, four taboos that include amati geni (no fire), observing work (no work), observing lelungan (no travel), and observing auctionuan (no entertainment).
Meaning of “Nyepi”
The meaning of Nyepi for Hindus is to contemplate life and ask God Almighty to return to perfecting the sanctity of Bhuana Agung and Bhuana Alit.
Nyepi Day has a philosophy as the universe’s turn to rest by eliminating human activity altogether, including silencing their thoughts and emotions.
For Balinese Hindus, “Nyepi” will make silence and tranquility considered a path to inner peace and the perfection of life.
For those of you who are traveling in Bali and it coincides with Nyepi day, you must pay attention and respect the many series of events leading up to Nyepi.
As much as possible, do not leave the inn, you will be allowed to take a walk in the hotel environment. Take advantage of this time to try the hotel facilities.
Don’t try to be desperate to go out of the inn. During Nyepi there will be many pecalang or traditional patrol officers watching over it. If you are caught leaving the inn, you will be escorted back to the inn by them.
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