Bali’s Day of Silence gaining attention
For 24 hours on Nyepi Day, Bali closes its airport and harbours, pulls the shutters down on all entertainment, dining and shopping, and cocoons international tourists in their hotels for a day.
But far from being an inconvenience, tourists are now enjoying the island’s Day of Silence – which this year falls on March 31 – according to Ketut Ardana, chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali
"Tourists have appreciated and been amazed at the unique rituals on the eve of Nyepi and enjoyed the darkness and quietness on the island for 24 hours," he said.
Local parades the night before Nyepi of ogoh-ogoh, giant effigies, have become big tourist attractions.
"They are happy when they [see] the Balinese observe Nyepi with its astonishing pre- and post-rituals," Ardana said.
Nyepi marks the start of the new lunar year in the Balinese calendar.
On the Day of Silence, Balinese Hindus have to perform four abstinences: abstaining from the lighting of fire or lights, abstaining from work, abstaining from traveling outside one’s home and abstaining from enjoyable activities.
Bali Tourism Agency said it was important that tourists understood the requirement to follow the rules related to Nyepi rituals, in particular the prohibition from being outside their hotels.
Ian Jarrett
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