The Hindu New Year

One of Indonesia’s most unique holidays is the Hindu New Year, also known as Hari Raya Nyepi. Hari Raya Nyepi is a day of silence and self-reflection. Hari Raya Nyepi is celebrated on the first day of the Saka lunar calendar. The Hindu celebrations in Bali can last up to several days.

This year – 2024 – Hari Raya Nyepi – will be celebrated on 11th of March.

THREE DAYS BEFORE THE BALI HINDU NEW YEAR

There are various rituals that the Balinese people observe to celebrate the coming of the Hindu New Year in Bali. Three days before Hari Raya Nyepi, the Melasti Ritual is observed. The Melasti Ritual is performed near the water in Pura, a Hindu temple. Using seawater, the ritual purifies sacred objects.

THE EVE OF THE HINDU NEW YEAR

On Hindu New Year’s Eve in Bali, the Bhuta Yajna ritual is performed by every community. This ritual banishes negativity and evil from the island and its inhabitants. According to Hindu beliefs, it is the responsibility of humans to maintain the balance between the gods, Earth, and humans.

For this ritual, Balinese people create large statues of demons and other evil creatures out of bamboo and paper. These statues are known as ogoh-ogoh. Many of the ogoh-ogoh seen in parades are created by youth groups from Balinese villages. The most impressive ogoh-ogoh are usually created by Balinese artists.

After the ogoh-ogoh are created, they are taken to a large street parade for everyone to see. It is believed that the ogoh-ogoh will absorb the negative energy of the spectators and ward off evil spirits. After the parade, the ogoh-ogoh are burned in a large public bonfire. In addition to warding off evil and purifying the Balinese people, the bonfire is also believed to satisfy Batara Kala, the god of the underworld.

RITUALS AND DAY OF SILENCE ON HINDU NEW YEAR

On Hindu New Year’s Day, Hindus participate in Nyepi rituals. The first aspect of the Nyepi ritual is known as Amati Geni. Amati Geni declares that no fire or light can be used on Bali during Hari Raya Nyepi. Amati Geni also restricts the use of electricity.

The second aspect of the Nyepi ritual is Amati Karya. According to Amati Karya, no one in Bali may work during Hari Raya Nyepi. The third aspect of the Nyepi rituals, Amati Lelunganan, declares that no one may travel during Hari Raya Nyepi. The final aspect of the Nyepi rituals is Amati Lelanguan. Amati Lelanguan declares that every person in Bali must fast during Hari Raya Nyepi. Amati Lelanguan also requires people in Bali to refrain from entertainment.

During the Day of Silence, Bali’s people are expected to reflect on their actions over the past year. Many Balinese people will take this as an opportunity to rest and think of ways to improve themselves throughout the upcoming year. To ensure that all aspects of the Nyepi rituals are followed, Nyepi policemen patrol the island of Bali. Everyone in Bali must abide by the Nyepi rituals. Because of this, the Bali airport closes for the day and all visitors stay indoors or leave the island.

The Day of Silence is a tradition that dates back to some of the earliest years in Balinese history. Balinese people believe that remaining silent for a full day after loud celebrations will trick evil spirits into thinking that the island of Bali is uninhabited. According to this idea, the spirits will leave the island alone since their ultimate goal is to torment humans.

THE DAY OF SILENCE

All Hindu Balinese stay inside their homes, but they are not supposed to speak to each other, answer the telephone, receive guests, watch TV, listen to the radio, or use any appliances. Lights must not be turned on and no fires may be lit, including stoves for cooking or even lighting a cigarette. They also refrain from eating and drinking and are not supposed to do any work or engage in any activity. The time should be spent in silent meditation or performing prayers at the house shrine or merajan. Nyepi is a day of self-control and introspection in order to achieve spiritual purification.

HOW NYEPI AFFECTS TOURISTS AND EXPAT RESIDENTS

Visitors and expat residents are not allowed to leave their homes or hotels in Nyepi. The streets will be deserted with only a few pecalang, community security officers, ensuring that Nyepi is observed properly. Only emergency services and hospitals are allowed to operate as usual. Cable television and the internet are turned off for the day. All airports and ports are also closed for 24 hours with no fights arriving or departing on Nyepi. These restrictions will affect tourist’s plans, so be sure and check to see what day Nyepi falls on to prepare – see Indonesian holidays.

THE DAY AFTER

The day after Nyepi is called Ngembak Geni. After successfully completing their day of restraint and purification people feel very happy and enjoy going out to visit family and friends to ask forgiveness for past mistakes. Hindu Balinese, wherever they are living, always endeavor to celebrate Nyepi, but it is on the island of Bali itself that you can sense the special nature of this unique holiday.

Nyepi (Balinese New Year) is also determined using the Balinese Caka calendar, the eve of Nyepi falling on the night of the new moon whenever it occurs around March/April each year. Therefore, the date for Nyepi changes every year, and there is not a constant number of days difference between each Nyepi as there is for such Balinese holidays as Galungan and Kuningan. The day Nyepi falls on in a given year is determined by offices based on the cycles of the moon for that year. Whenever the new moon falls between mid-March and mid-April, that night will be the night of great activities and island-wide exorcism, while the next day will be the day of total peace and quiet, where everything stops for a day.

‘… Listen to the silence, it has so much to say … I n silence, you find the meaning of life … ‘

Happy Silence Day!
Happy Nyepi Day!

Anja
Owner and Co-Founder of The Lombok Lodge Hospitality ®

Mail: anja@thelomboklodge.com
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