Tag Archive for: nyepi celebration

NYEPI CELEBRATION AT DAJUMA

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Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence, took place on March 29th, bringing the entire island to a standstill. This sacred Hindu celebration marks the Balinese New Year with a full day of self-reflection, silence, and meditation. From sunrise to sunrise, no one is allowed to leave their homes, work, or even use lights, creating an atmosphere of deep introspection. The airport, roads, and businesses shut down completely, making Bali the quietest place on Earth. The day before, vibrant Ogoh-Ogoh parades fill the streets with giant demon effigies, symbolizing the cleansing of negative energies. On Nyepi itself, people fast, pray, and contemplate their actions over the past year. It is a time to reconnect with oneself and nature while seeking harmony with the universe. Even our guests must respect the silence, experiencing an unparalleled moment of peace. Nyepi is not just a religious ritual—it’s a powerful reminder to pause, reflect, and renew.

BALI CELEBRATES NYEPI ON MARCH 11th

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Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, is a sacred tradition observed annually, marking the start of the Hindu New Year. During Nyepi, the island comes to a complete standstill, with no activities, lights, or sounds allowed, allowing for self-reflection and purification. It’s a time for introspection, meditation, and spiritual renewal amidst the serene beauty of Bali. This year’s Nyepi coincides closely with Galungan and Kunigan, a rare alignment that enhances the festive atmosphere. Our esteemed guests, Mr. and Mrs. Prosser, were delighted to immerse themselves in the local culture by visiting a village school. Everywhere they looked, they witnessed the bustling activity of constructing the emblematic Ogoh-Ogoh shown on the picture. These sculptures represent evil spirits or demons and are usually paraded through the streets accompanied by loud noises and chanting to drive away evil forces before the silent day of Nyepi begins. It’s a fascinating and vibrant cultural tradition in Bali. And for our guests, It was a precious moment of communal engagement and cultural exchange, fostering a deep sense of connection and appreciation.

HAPPY NYEPI

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This week, exactly March 22, Bali will commemorate its Saka new year according to the Balinese calendar. It is a very strong period in Balinese life, marked by unique festivities in the world. The day before, it is the parades of gigantic models made of wood and paper called Ogoh-Ogoh which have requested months of careful preparation in every village. The more hideous they are, the better, because their vocation is to get rid of evil spirits. The next day, it’s Nyepi, the day of silence intended for reflection on oneself. It impresses tourists so much because everything stops in the island, including the airport. The Balinese remain cloistered at home, many activities are prohibited such as lighting fires, no work, no entertainment or pleasure, no trip; and, for some, no conversation or eating at all. A fascinating tradition that makes our guests think a lot! Enjoy it!

HAPPY HARI RAYA NYEPI!

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On March 3rd, on the first new moon in March, Bali will celebrate the Balinese Hindu New Year, the famous Hari Raya Nyepi also called the “Day of Silence”. Nyepi, marks the start of the Balinese Hindu Saka New Year and the arrival of spring. Beginning at 6 am and lasting until 6 am the following day, Nyepi is a day intended for self-reflection and anything that might disturb this is not allowed. This means no cooking or fires, no entertainment, no travelling and no work of any kind is permitted. On Nyepi, the usually busy streets of Bali fall silent and even though Nyepi is a Hindu festival, non-Hindu residents of Bali will also observe the day of silence out of respect for their fellow citizens. Tourists are free to do what they want inside their hotels but nobody is permitted onto the beaches or streets. The airport in Bali will also be closed for Nyepi and telecommunications companies even switch off internet services for a 24 hour period. A very special moment in the year for all Balinese, unique in the world and particularly appreciated by our guests. Happy Hari Raya Nyepi!

NYEPI IS COMING SOON

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Nyepi is fast approaching. On March 15th a new year will begin in Bali, preceded by the famous “day of silence”. It is celebrated every Isakawarsa (Saka New Year) according to the Balinese calendar. It is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. A lot of rituals are part of the celebration of Nyepi Day. The most famous is Ogoh-ogoh and the Melasti (purification ceremony). Because of the pandemic, the celebration of Nyepi has been restricted, all the ritual must be done by a limited number of persons, people cannot get involved and must pray from their family temple. Despite these restrictions, Nyepi remains a major moment in Balinese life and a fascinating experience for foreigners visiting Bali. Dajuma is the perfect place where to celebrate Nyepi. We prepared a specific package which will help you discovering this so special tradition, unique in the world.
Happy Nyepi Day and Happy New Year Saka 1943.

NYEPI NOT AS USUAL THIS YEAR

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On March 25th, took place in Bali the famous Nyepi, the sacred and peaceful day of silence that welcomes the Saka New Year in the Balinese calendar. 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 (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and, for some, no talking or eating at all.
This year, Nyepi takes on a new dimension with the coronavirus pandemic. It’s like the whole world is celebrating Nyepi as well, by staying at home and spending time on self-reflection. In Bali a lot of celebrations and gatherings have been disrupted such as Melasti (purifying ceremony) and Pengerupukan, a day before, which is finished by doing Pecaruan (a ritual to neutralize negative spirits) and Ogoh-Ogoh parade. All those rituals usually involve mass participants, but this year all the rituals were restricted (the number of participants cannot be more than 10, only the priest and some village committee members who must keep the physical distancing), and the other prayed at home. Due to Covid 19 the Bali governor instructed to extend one of the restriction on the day after, people were not allowed to travel and must stay at home. Our traditional vows of good health take on particular relief on this occasion. May the pandemic so violent in the world, ends soon. Happy and Healthy Nyepi!

NYEPI, “Art in Rituals”

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This week Balinese people are happy and excited to welcome the Balinese New Year Caka 1941, known as NYEPI DAY on March 7, 2019 with various preparations. One of the important and interesting element prepared is Ogoh-Ogoh. It is a demonic statues made of richly painted bamboo, cloth, and tinsel. It symbolizes negative elements or malevolent spirits or even characters from Hindu mythology, which will be burned after paraded around the village to neutralize the negative spirit. The making of ogoh-ogoh is not only part of the rituals in the celebration of Nyepi, but also becomes a chance for Balinese youth to express their creativity in art. Ogoh-Ogoh will be paraded around the village a day before Nyepi Day, we invite our guests to watch the ogoh-ogoh parade in the village. It will be so interesting to see the Balinese culture and feel the spirit of Nyepi Day together with the locals, So don’t miss it!!

NYEPI & MELASTI at DAJUMA

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Last saturday, took place the Balinese New Year 1940 in the Saka calendar, the famous holy day called Nyepi. Imagine the island totally quiet, the airport closed, and all Balinese families staying at home, praying and meditating for one full day.
Indispensable companion of Nyepi, a few days before, was the Melasti purification ceremony. Melasti was meant as the ritual to cleanse the world from all the filth of sin and bad karma, through the symbolic act of acquiring the Tirta Amerta, “the water of life”.
At Dajuma, as shown on the picture, Meslasti was celebrated with our guests according to the tradition on the edge of the beach with the aim to purify oneself of all the bad things in the past and throw it to the ocean. Selamat Hari Raya Nyepi!

NYEPI IS APPROACHING

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The famous “Day of Silence” called Nyepi in Bali, will take place this year on March 28th. Celebrating the New Year in the Saka calendar, this event is probably the most interesting in terms of Balinese traditions. All of the island’s inhabitants abide by a set of local rules, which brings all routine activities to a complete halt. Roads all over Bali are void of any traffic and nobody steps outside of their home premises. Village meeting halls known as ‘banjar’ and streets feature papier-mâché effigies called ogoh-ogoh, built throughout the weeks leading up to the Saka New Year.

On this unique occasion in the year, Dajuma offers a special package not to be missed:
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NYEPI CELEBRATION

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Nyepi is probably the most extraordinary celebration in Bali. Can you imagine a full day of silence commemorated every Saka new year which fell on March 9th this year, where people all around the island stay at home with lights kept low, with no working, no entertainment, no traveling, and for some, no talking or eating at all! Even the airport is closed and the roads empty! Something definitively very special which makes foreigners sometimes quizzical. They should not because Nyepi is a very important tradition in Bali totally devoted to … self reflection.
On the eve of Nyepi day take place these unbelievable parades called Ogoh-ogoh where mythological beings, mostly demons, are shown on the streets.
Another good reason to come to Bali and discover the wealth of its culture!