Bali is such a special and unique place on earth and there are many reasons why. It is an Indonesian island full of prayers, red-yellow sunsets, hanging banyan trees, smashing waves, traffic, lush rice patties, nasi goreng, spicy smells and hip westerners who drink a soy milk in a new corner coffee shop. With its long-lasting Hindu traditions and five-times-a-day religious ceremonies, the island has long been known as a mystical place, rich in healing powers and full of magic energy! Even though unique religious and cultural belief systems have survived Muslim and Western influence, with increasingly growing tourist number the old good Bali days have gone forever.
Nyepi day – one of the oldest Balinese traditions that remains untouched. It’s Balinese New Year – the “Day of Silence”. Every religion or culture all over the world has their own way to define and celebrate their New Year, but Balinese a New Year’s celebration is unlike anywhere else on the planet. While Westerners celebrate the New Year in revelry, however, in contrast, the Balinese open their New Year in noble silence. Before the start of the New Year, it’s the day to go within. The day to purify the minds, purify the whole world, to keep the balance of nature and human. Except for the sound of birds and geckos, all is stillness. The whole island moves inwards. On the magic day the whole island is deserted: no planes fly, no transport operates, no people are in the streets, roads and beaches. Could you possibly imagine any other spot I the world where flights are stopped for local ceremony purpose? It is something surreal that happens at that day in Bali. Except those patrolling to ensure no naughty tourists get in the streets. Only emergency trip to the hospital is possible, should you really need it. Bali’s usual flurry and bustle ceases. The normal rhythm of locals and foreigners is stopped. At least for 24 hours. The legend says if the island remains dark and silent on Nyepi day, it will fool any demons or bad spirits that no one is at home on the island so they go away. This brings good luck and peace for Balinese New Year.
The sudden silence comes after the eve of noisy festivities. Balinese celebrate Ogoh Ogoh – the huge exorcism ceremony at the main cross roads of the villages, the meeting place of demons, to scare away the bad spirits. Locals (kids and teenagers are involved) make enormous and giant mythical monster sculptures made of bamboo which symbolize the evil spirits that have got ridden by burning Ogoh-ogoh (evil spirits) in the temples afterwards.
While most expats and those coming from neighboring islands prefer escaping Bali for this day due to the restrictions that surround this observance, I recommend to stay and feel the totally different vibration of the island and experience the traditional Balinese culture from inside out. It is worth experiencing, at least once in a lifetime, the island in complete silence as if deserted, enveloped in an atmosphere of complete tranquility and peace.
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