Nyepi marks the New Year in Bali according to the Saka calendar and will take place on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Called the Day of Silence, the celebration of Nyepi is quite singular, showcasing once again 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 various Indonesian cultures. The Saka calendar runs 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar. This Thursday, March 7, will celebrate the year 1940.

Nyepi, a celebration unique in the world

   

Nyepi is a special day in Bali. For the Balinese, celebrating the Saka New Year is done in silence. Thus Nyepi is seen as the quietest day of the year on the Island of the Gods. Unlike New Year's Eve in the West, which is typically celebrated with music and festivities, the Balinese usher in this new year with a day of fasting and silence.

Lights and external noise are prohibited, and most people stay at home. All shops close their doors. Bali's Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar has even suspended all domestic and international flights for the occasion. It will resume operations on March 8 at 6 a.m.

How Nyepi unfolds

   

The Nyepi festivities begin about a month before the main day. The streets then fill with characters constructed from papier-mâché in the likeness of monsters called Ogoh Ogoh. These large statues, which can reach up to 5 meters in height, are visible at every intersection and serve to frighten demons and other evil spirits. Some say the Ogoh Ogoh are meant to appease them; 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 the occasional firecrackers set off by children attempting in vain to frighten malevolent spirits.

From midnight on the eve of Nyepi, all streets must be completely emptied of human presence. Over the next 24 hours, silence will reign: 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 original experience, but you should know that tourists are not exempt from the rule of silence and must remain in their hotels.

Many travelers and expatriates seek to leave the island at least for the duration of this unusual day. Nearby islands such as Lombok, Gili, and Nusa Penida make perfect bases for this day.

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

Also remember that, as mentioned above, Bali's international airport will be closed that day.