When is Nyepi?
This year, Nyepi falls on Monday March 11th 2024, beginning at 6am and finishing 24 hours later at 6am on March 12th. The date of Nyepi changes each year according to the Balinese calendar, so you’ll want to check ahead if you’re already planning next year’s Bali escape.
What is Nyepi?
For the Balinese, Nyepi is a Hindu celebration that marks the start of a New Year – a day to cleanse the island from the previous year’s misdoings and bad omens, establishing a pure and positive year ahead. The whole island shuts down for a full 24 hours, and the streets are off limits to everyone. Even the airport closes for a full day, with planes being rerouted above so not to disturb the silence below. Everyone must remain inside their homes, villas or hotels without any disturbances – this means no travelling, transport, work, sound, or even light. In short, it’s pure bliss.
What happens during Nyepi?
On Nyepi Day, the Balinese will be meditating, praying and spending silent time at home with their families. For everyone else (non-Hindus), the answer is quite simply: nothing (other than plenty of relaxation at home).
However, prior to Bali’s Day of Silence, the preparations and celebrations start many days (even weeks!) before Nyepi Day. You’ll notice the streets coming alive with the sweet sounds of traditional gamelan instruments and reams of colourful offerings. All of this is in preparation for Melasti, which is a purification ritual that takes place three or four days before Nyepi. It’s the largest purification ritual on the island, where thousands of Balinese people – all dressed in white – form a spectacular procession towards the ocean, carrying sacred objects from the temples to the sea to be cleansed and purified.
Many days before Nyepi, you’ll also spot villagers excitedly preparing and sculpting enormous papier-mâché monsters (called Ogoh-Ogoh) which, on the night before Nyepi, are paraded through the streets with loud music, bursts of fire and people lining the streets to add to the community spirit. It’s a spectacular contrast to the silent day of serenity that follows.
Fun fact! Want to know the reason behind the raucous Ogoh-Ogoh parades on the eve of Nyepi, followed by total silence? The Balinese believe that evil spirits scour the earth looking for colonies to torment. So, the Ogoh-Ogoh are designed to catch the attention of these evil spirits and draw them to the island. Then, by the time the evil spirits arrive, they find an island that’s seemingly deserted, with no sign of human life. Alas, these evil spirits depart, leaving the island cleansed and evil-free for another year ahead!
Must everyone celebrate Nyepi, even foreigners?
Yes, everyone must abide by the rules of Nyepi, namely by remaining indoors without any noise or visible light. Don’t fret though, you’re permitted to move around your accommodation as normal, providing that sound and light are kept to an absolute minimum. If you’re staying in a hotel, there’ll often be plenty of activities on offer to keep you occupied, and you won’t be in total darkness either – lights will often be left on but dimmed at nighttime, and you’ll just need to keep your curtains closed.
What should I do on Nyepi Day?
With nothing else on the itinerary except kicking back and chilling out, there’s no better time to rest, relax and rejuvenate from the comforts of a luxury hotel, villa or resort. Find yourself a good book, meditate, dust off an old board game, treat yourself to an at-home face mask or simply bask in the sunshine with only the sounds of nature all around. And trust us when we say you’ll want to stargaze at night, because without any light pollution, the sky is a blanket of sparkles!
