BALINESE NEW YEAR – Saka 1946
NYEPI
Nyepi - Balinese New Year
Festivities of the Balinese New Year are unlike any other and the most important and most sacred Hindu holiday in Bali.
Learn more about the spiritual, mystical, and transcendental components of the Balinese New Year. If you happen to be on Bali during Nyepi, you may see for yourself why this celebration is so special and uique.
When is Nyepi in 2024
10th March 2024 – Ogoh Ogoh Parade (evening)
11st March 2024 – Nyepi, Day of Silence
Nyepi
24h Silence - how does it work?
The 2024 period of complete silence on Bali will begin on Monday, March 11 at 6 a.m. and last through Tuesday, March 12 at the same hour. Everyone on the island must remain inside, turn off the lights, and be totally silent. There is a complete halt to all action in the outer world. Businesses close, schools close, roads close (except for emergency vehicles), and the airport closes for twenty-four hours. Don’t plan any activities during Nyepi, since you will have to stay in your hotel.
Balinese New Year
Sacred
The Magic of NYEPI and the Day of Silence
Everything comes to a complete and total halt.
The highlight of Bali’s New Year is really quite the opposite of the pyrotechnics and loud celebrations that are the norm everywhere else in the world. The island becomes absolutely silent in the midst of their festivities celebrating the New Year in Bali to wash away the wrong doings of the past year, entering the new year with “a clean slate” – individually and collectively..
Nyepi, which means “to stay silent,” occurs on the day after the dark moon of the spring equinox. Visitors fortunate enough to be on Bali during Nyepi will have the opportunity to experience this unique, magical and fascinating celebration. and join the Balinese in reflecting on the past year in silence and start with new and positive intentions.
On Nyepi eve, the Balinese will join for the world famous Ogoh Ogoh Parades, that are held all over Bali. A fascinating spectacle where youngsters are carrying huge demon statues through the streets. Don’t miss it while on Bali!
Things To Know About Nyepi
Basic Rules for the Day of Silence
The Balinese follow these restrictions for 24 hours as part of the ceremony on the Day of Silence:
From 6 am of Nyepi Day until 6 am the following day:
- Amati Geni: No fire or light, including electricity
- Amati Karya: No working or business of any kind
- Amati Lelunganan: No traveling
- Amati Lelanguan: No noisy festivities or self entertainment
How this plays out on the island – for EVERYONE, including visitors from abroad:
- Local guards called Pecalang are stationed in strategic locations around the island to enforce law and order and maintain peace and quiet.
- Hospitals will remain open for emergencies.
- Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar (DPS) and all other airports, bus terminals, harbours etc on the island are closed, therefore there are no incoming or outgoing flights, boats, buses.
- All businesses, and restaurants are closed to visitors and locals alike.
- Nobody is allowed to be on the streets, you can’t go to beaches or for a walk, you need to stay inside. It’s very prohibited to do anything outside of the house.
- You can’t play music or make any noise if it can be noticed from outside.
- When the sun goes down, curtains should be closed and as little light as possible should be used.
- Hotels will provide basic services to their guests, but access to pool and other facilities might be restricted.
Nyepi and the Balinese Calendar
Nyepi Day, like almost all other Balinese religious festivals and holy days, is always determined according to the Balinese calendar (Caka or Saka). According to the Balinese calendar, there are 12 months (sasih) in a year (Balinese months). There is typically one new moon (dark moon or Tilem) and one full moon during a calendar month (sasih), totaling 35 days (Purnama).
Although the Hindu community of Bali celebrates Isakawarsa (the Balinese New Year) for a full six days in accordance with the Balinese calendar, the festival’s most important festivities occur on three different days. As a first step, on day two, after sundown, there are Ogoh-Ogoh parades. Second, on the third day, they observe Nyepi, the Day of Silence. Finally, Ngembak Geni is a time for communities to celebrate the beginning of a new year together.
