Nyepi is Balinese, or in English known as "Day of silence" It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. Nyepi is the way for Balinese hindu people to define and celebrate their new year, observed from 6 am until 6 am the next morning, 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.
Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.
This is the right time for you who want to feel how is the world if there is no pollution, activities or noise. In this post i will write a few tips for travelers who want to travel to Bali when Nyepi day so you can really prepare the needs in the right time and can really enjoying the day of silence in the right place completely.
make sure you traveling in the right time
Nyepi day is falls on Bali's Lunar New Year, so before you decide what day you will fly to Bali make sure you check Balinese calender and look for what day Nyepi will falls on. As an example in 2010, it will be on march 16, so prepare to go traveling 2 or 3 days before ( March 14 or 13 ). 1 day before Nyepi there is a unique parade that call Ngerupuk, in this event the Balinese will make a statues called Ogoh Ogoh, The main purpose of the making of Ogoh-ogoh is the purification of the natural environment of any spiritual pollutants emitted from the activities of living beings (especially humans). Make sure that you enjoy this parade one day before Nyepi day.
Buy your needs for Nyepi day before Ngerupuk Parade
I suggest you to buy your needs for 24 hours Nyepi day one day before Ngerupuk parade, why?.. because before Ngerupuk parade begins largely main road will be close by local government and mostly of the road will be use for Balinese people that showing their ogoh ogoh to the public, and at this moment the traffic could be jamming because it will be so many tourist or local people that would like to see this parade before Nyepi day. So make sure you already have your needs just a one day before, so you can enjoy Ngerupuk parade nice and slowly.
Enjoying Nyepi day
For some people who stay in Bali there is a few way to enjoying Nyepi, whatever it is the day have to be enjoyed without forget what Nyepi is.
I suggest you to chose the place that far enough from main road, so the situation of Nyepi is not so seriously and you still can enjoy the Nyepi without afraid disturbing other people that in meditation with a little noise that probably happen.
And some hotel also have a Nyepi day package that providing a different service to the guest.
From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is meant to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc., that should kept forever. this is one of thousands things that make Bali is a unique island.
