Melasti or Mekiyis is the first ceremony held three to four days before Nyepi day. On this day, effigies of the gods from the village temples are taken to the ocean or a holy spring in a colourful procession. This is the only time that the effigies are removed not only from the temple but out of the village boundaries. A purification ritual is carried at the beach where the deities assist in purifying man with water from the ocean.

The day begins with an early morning rise at about 2.30am to dress appropriately and head to the temple. By 5 am, the whole village is assembled at the beach with colourful parasols and flags.

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