Temple
On 26th March 2009, Balinese Hindus will be celebrated Nyepi Day. I hope you can spend 2 minutes to read this story from the Island of Thousand Temples
On Nyepi Day at early morning of……(around 01.00AM) the lamp in the road will be turn –off. It sign that NYEPI will be coming soon. Nyepi means quite. On Nyepi, Hindu,s are suggested to fast and regret on their mistakes during a year. It is actually dedicated to introspection which is well-known as “Holy Meditation Day”, therefore the people must be able to bridle its desire.
In Hindu teach, there are 4 prohibitions that people must obey and done during Nyepi:
- First, people are prohibited to go out the street, therefore during 24 hours starting from 06.00 AM, there will be no flight from and to Bali, no cars, bicycles, and motor bikes drive on the street, no people walk along the street, EXCEPT the traditional Balinese guards (Pecalang) who will patrol the streets to ensure that Nyepi silence is not disturbed.
- Second, people are prohibited to turn on the television, radio or tape-record, no light and fire, therefore mothers and daughters have to cook at early morning for preparing their meals during 24 hours ( for those who can not fast due to any circumstances).
- Third, people are prohibited to get drunk or doing opposite activities of the Hindu’Teach. Therefore, some of them have their meditation in family temple in the house or just sit and read Religion Teach in the house.
- Fourth, people are prohibited to work such as washing, sweeping, cooking, etc. Therefore they have to do those jobs the day before.
These strict guidelines are not enforced to those who stay at the hotel. The Tourists will be free to persue normal indoor activities make use of the pool area and stroll the garden, as they are in hotel property. However, the beaches will be closed. During the day the Hinduism will also pray for the world. Please remember……..every NYEPI day there will be NO flight operation IN and OUT the Island.
We have visited Bali 3 times and we scheduled our visits to be in Bali for Nyepi Day. Well not really for Nyepi Day, but the days that lead up to Nyepi. Paul wrote an excellent article on Nyepi Day but for the average tourist its the days leading up to this special day. I am not sure I could it justice but from my point of view, let me tell you why we enjoy the days leading up to Nyepi Day. The days leading up to Nyepi Day is the time for the young people of the area get together and make Ogoh-ogoh monsters or evil spirits. The monsters usually are very large and some have fangs, bulging eyes, carry swords. You can see them building these giants all over the towns. We enjoyed walking around and taking some great pictures. The day before is a carnival. People gather, and the Ogoh-ogoh’s are paraded at the main village cross words. The Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession. We have been fortunate to witness this tremendous event. The one that was held in Sanur was unbelievable. The crowds were tremendous and I can’t began to tell you many Ogoh-Ogoh’s were in the procession. People in the parade wore traditional costumes and it was just tremendous. The following year we were in Candidasa, This event was held just outside the town in a large field. It was overwelming. The Ogoh-Ogoh’s symbolizes evil spirits which we must get rid of from our lives. We have made 3 trips to Bali and each one is better than the last. Floressa Tours and their staff is a tremendous agency and you cannot go wrong in traveling with them.
Mr. John has completed my article perfectly. It is true. The days leading up to Nyepi day is a different story….and.. it is very interesting. The ogoh-ogoh festival has started in about 25 years ago. The Balinese did not do it before. There are total about 30-40 young people in every villages consist of boys and girls who create the ogoh-ogoh statue, includes the form, the symbol, the size, the costumes, the group who will carry the statue in the festival, musician who will go along etc. There are thousands of ogoh-ogoh on the island. During festival which will take place in the their own area,about 4-8.00pm the roads, the cities are full with people includes tourists to see the festival. If you drive during this time…you are wrong. You should get back to your hotel before 4.00pm, be ready with your camera and just walk to the main road……there are the festivals…and enjoy it.
We made our fourth trip to Bali in March 2010. And again during Nyepi. This time we stayed in Ubud. The days leading up to Nyepi in Ubud were great. After all the little areas built there Ogoh-ogoh, they took them to the Soccer field right near the center of town. So if you missed any before you got to see them all in one spot. A great event. Can’t wait till next year.