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How to Observe Nyepi in Bali

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Observe Nyepi in Bali

If you are a tourist in Bali, and if it is March to April, you might get to observe the holiday of Nyepi, one of the most important holidays there. It is when everything except hotels and emergency services shuts down, but the day before Nyepi is a day of wild revelry!

Edit Steps

  1. 1
    Find the date of Nyepi. Look up this information at any website about Balinese tourism. It is the first new moon after the spring equinox.
  2. 2
    On the day before Nyepi, observe the ogoh-ogoh dolls being carried through the streets of any major city or town in Bali. This will be done in a parade.
  3. 3
    Make as much noise as possible that night! This is done to frighten away evil spirits.
  4. 4
    Be back in your hotel by six the next morning. Sorry, but this is mandatory on Nyepi!
  5. 5
    Now, the quiet day of Nyepi starts. Stay in your hotel until six the next morning (you are not confined to your room, but if the hotel has an outdoor pool, that pool will be closed).
  6. 6
    Do not leave the hotel! You WILL be caught and escorted back to your hotel!
  7. 7
    Even if the hotel room has kitchen equipment, do not cook on Nyepi. This is forbidden on that day.
  8. 8
    Do not light a fire for any other reason, either.
  9. 9
    Be quiet. Everyone is quiet on Nyepi, other than emergency services. No music may be played, and TV stations do not broadcast on Nyepi.
  10. 10
    Catch some sleep. This is a good day to catch up on sleep, since everyone is supposed to be quiet.
  11. 11
    Read a good book. This is a good day to catch up on that, too!
  12. 12
    Do not engage in intimate contact. It's forbidden on Nyepi.
  13. 13
    Turn off all lights at night. Clock radios are OK to leave on, and it is also OK to leave on the lights if there is a small child, an elderly person or someone with severe disabilities in the room. Other than that, keep it dark.
  14. 14
    At six the next morning, resume your normal vacationing life.

Edit Warnings

  • There are police officers patrolling the streets on Nyepi, so it would be best not to leave the hotel on that day.

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Last edited:
May 8, 2012 by IngeborgK

Categories:
Holidays and Traditions | Australasia & Oceania

Recent edits by: BR, Grajib09, Jordan (see all)

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