Get to know the rituals and meaning of Nyepi Day in Bali
Ilustrasi: Aron Visuals on Unsplash.com
Bali is known as the Island of the Gods. This island is famous for its natural beauty, cultural heritage and unique rituals. One of the most interesting cultural events in Bali is the Nyepi celebration.
Nyepi is not only a holiday, but also a ritual full of meaning and solemnity that is followed by the Hindu community every year.
Seclusion Day
Nyepi is a Hindu religious holiday celebrated as part of the Saka New Year tradition. Usually, this holiday falls in March or April every year. This year, Nyepi Day falls on March 11 2024.
Nyepi is marked by a 24-hour period of absolute silence across the island of Bali. During Nyepi, no public activities are permitted, including traveling, working or consuming food.
Nyepi Ritual
Approaching Nyepi Day, Hindus usually carry out the Melasti ceremony. This ceremony is known as a self-purification ceremony to welcome the holiday.
With the aim of purifying oneself from all bad deeds in the past and throwing them into the sea, this ceremony is held on the beach and all participants wear white clothes. In Hindu belief, water sources such as lakes and seas are considered the water of life (tirta amerta).
Melasti Ceremony // Illustration: Putu Wijanatha on Wikipedia
Apart from that, cleaning and purification of sacred objects belonging to the temple are also carried out. These objects are paraded around the village which is intended to purify the village.
After Melasti, on the evening before Nyepi, there is the Ogoh-Ogoh parade. The giant statues will be paraded around the village and then taken to an open place, usually a field or beach. This statue symbolizes evil spirits or negative forces that exist in the world.
Ogoh-Ogoh // Illustration: @regentara26 on Pinterest.com
There, they will be placed together and lit. This procession is called the Ngerupuk ceremony. The fire that burns Ogoh-Ogoh is considered a symbol of cleansing holy energy.
Nyepi in Bali
On Nyepi day itself, all activities in Bali stop. No lights were turned on, no sound could be heard, even the airport was closed. Balinese people spend this day in silence, meditating, praying and contemplating.
Tourists who are in Bali during Nyepi are asked to respect this tradition by staying in their accommodation and not disturbing the peace.
The Meaning and Message of Nyepi
Nyepi is not just a holiday, but also a time for introspection, self-cleaning and recovery. The silence practiced during Nyepi symbolizes contemplation and allows Balinese people to reflect on their lives, assess their actions, and start the new year with a calm mind and a pure heart.
Apart from that, Nyepi is also a way to maintain natural balance and the relationship between humans and the universe. By stopping all human activity, Nyepi provides an opportunity for nature to rest and recover from the disturbances caused by daily life.
Happy Nyepi Day, Saka New Year 1946.
Article compiled from several sources (KJ/AW/KJ)