Nyepi

Nyepi, the Day of Silence, marks the Balinese New Year in the Saka calendar and is one of the most remarkable days on the island. For 24 hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m., Bali comes to a halt. There is no work, no travel, no entertainment, no lights and no fire, and the airport closes for the entire day. Streets empty, and the island falls into a deep quiet. In 2027, Nyepi falls on Monday, March 8.

The days before Nyepi are anything but quiet. Several days earlier, Melasti processions carry sacred objects to the sea or springs for purification. On the eve of Nyepi, villages parade ogoh-ogoh, giant effigies of demons and mythical figures made of bamboo, paper and paint, through the streets with music and torches, usually burning them afterward. The noise is meant to draw out evil spirits, and the silence that follows is meant to convince them the island is empty.

For visitors, Nyepi is a rare experience of stillness. Guests must stay inside their hotel or villa, keep lights low and noise down, while the pecalang, traditional village guards, patrol the streets. On a clear night, the stars are extraordinary. The following day, Ngembak Geni, families visit one another to ask forgiveness, and normal life resumes. The ogoh-ogoh parades of the evening before are one of the most spectacular events of the Balinese year.