Nyepi marks the Balinese New Year according to the Saka calendar and takes place on the Day of Silence. The celebration of Nyepi is quite singular, once again revealing the authenticity of Balinese culture.

The Day of Silence marks the new year of the Saka calendar of Western Indian origin. It is one of many calendars followed by the various Indonesian cultures. The Saka calendar runs 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar.

Nyepi, a unique celebration worldwide

Nyepi is a special day in Bali. For the Balinese, celebrating the Saka New Year is done in silence. Nyepi is thus the quietest day of the year on the Island of the Gods. Unlike New Year's Eve, typically celebrated with music and festive atmosphere, the Balinese begin this new year with a day of fasting and silence.

Lights and outside noise are forbidden, and most people remain at home. All shops close their doors. Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar suspends all domestic and international flights for the occasion, before resuming operations the next day at 6 a.m.

How Nyepi unfolds

The weeks leading up to it

The Nyepi festivities begin about a month before the big day. The streets then fill with figures crafted from papier-mâché in the likeness of monsters called Ogoh-Ogoh. These large statues, which can reach five meters in height, are visible at every crossroads and serve to frighten demons and other evil spirits. Some say that Ogoh-Ogoh actually serve to appease them instead. In any case, the streets become haunted by these beautiful colorful sculptures.

A few days before Nyepi, religious ceremonies, already very prevalent on the island, multiply. On the beaches, it is possible to witness gatherings for Melasti, an important purification ceremony. Bali already begins to slow down, and a much calmer atmosphere takes hold, despite a few firecrackers set off here and there by children attempting in vain to frighten malevolent spirits.

The big day

From midnight on the eve of Nyepi, all streets must be cleared of all human presence. During the 24 hours that follow, silence reigns supreme: it is forbidden to leave your home, to turn on any lights, to watch television, or to listen to the radio.

Traveling to Bali during Nyepi

Being in Bali during Nyepi can be a relatively unique experience, but you should know that tourists are not exempt from the rule of silence and must remain in their hotel.

Many travelers and expatriates then seek to leave the island for this unusual day. Nearby islands such as Lombok, the Gili Islands, or Nusa Penida make perfect bases for this day.

If your itinerary does not allow you to leave, you can of course dine at your hotel and enjoy the swimming pool, but always in silence, to respect the local culture.

It is also worth noting that, as mentioned above, Bali's international airport remains closed throughout Nyepi day.