Nyepi Day is the Hindu New Year in Bali and falls on 16th March 2010. Nyepi Day is also known as Bali’s Day of Silence. So called because it is meant to be spent in complete silence. But before you laugh at this seemingly absurd practice, take note that all visitors to this spiritual island are expected to observe the same rules. The purpose of this is to ensure that the evil spirits roaming the lands will pass over the island when they see that no one is around hence restoring the balance of good and evil for the New Year. However, there is a more spiritual reason, and that is that Nyepi Day is actually meant to be a day of contemplation and reflection.

2010 Nyepi Day Packages

• Natura Resort & Spa Nyepi Package
• Pita Maha Resort Nyepi Package
• Arma Resort & Spa Nyepi Package
• New Kuta Condotel Nyepi Package
  

As a tourist in Bali, there is not much you can do except to remain in your hotel especially if you are in areas that enforce strict observance of these rules. There will not be much to do outside as all the shops, restaurants and tourist attractions will be closed. Vehicles are not allowed to ply the streets and only village officials are permitted to go on their rounds to ensure that the silence is maintained. And by the way, the airport will be closed for 24 hours, so don’t even try to leave !

Being confined to the perimeters of your hotel complex might seem restrictive but take heart, at least you will have the opportunity to enjoy the facilities there. While it is a day of prayer and meditation for the Hindu Balinese, you might spend the day by your private villa pool sipping a cocktail or for the more amorous, staying in your hotel room and ordering room service would be ideal.  Try the Nyepi Package at Natura Resort and Spa near Ubud for a romantic and healthy stay, or if staying in South Bali, the Best Western New Kuta Condotel in Pecatu-Jimbaran (South of Bali airport) has a 2 night Nyepi Day Package. You might want to email us for other packages.

Melasti Day – The day before Nyepi Day

Nyepi celebrations begin the preceding day with Melasti which traditionally marks the end of the rainy season in Bali.

Offerings of food and flowers are laid at crossroads to appease the buthas and kalas. These are the demons that interfere with human life causing suffering. Blood sacrifices, Caru, are required from every known domestic and wild animal on Bali. In Balinese Hinduism, this is not seen as a cruel act but sacrifices such as these are treated with reverence. Mantras are recited for the sacrificed animal to request an improved status in the next life, hence improving their karma.

Ogoh – Ogoh
Massive paper mache statues called Ogoh-Ogoh are made in the weeks before and paraded through the streets of Bali on Melasti Day in a deafening cacophony of cymbals, gongs and pots and pans in all efforts to chase away the dark forces before Nyepi.

Visiting Bali in the weeks preceding Nyepi offers you amusing sights of towering devilish monsters – the imaginations of the creative Balinese, ranging from fanged chickens to box office Superheroes. The largest Ogoh-Ogoh processions on Melasti Day are in Denpasar, but you will see equally vivid characters and large noisy processions in towns such as Ubud.

Visiting Bali during this period offers the tourist colourful photo opportunities and a holiday to remember.

What you need to know for Nyepi Day:

• Shops will be closed
• Airport will be closed for 24 hours. No flights in or out of Bali.
• There is no local broadcasting on radio.
• You will have to stay within your hotel compound from 16th March, 6am – 17th March, 6 am.
• You can use the facilities at your hotel – pool, restaurants, gym and spa if they are open on that day.
• Some hotels may limit their menu if they do not have enough staff, or they may impose a compulsory set dinner in order to manage with less staff reporting to work.
• If you are staying at a beach front hotel, you will most likely not be allowed to go onto the beach, but lounging by the swimming pool and swimming in the pool is OK.
• No loud noises …
• In some larger hotels, children are allowed to be themselves and be loud if they are playing.
• In hotels in and around Ubud, the village officials may visit your hotel.
• The Ogoh Ogoh Procession is on the 15th of March, the day before Nyepi Day in Ubud and Denpasar

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