Just a short note to inform you that we will celebrate the day of silence and meditation, on “NYEPI” day, the Balinese New Year, which falls on Wednesday 9th March 2016.
This interesting occasion is usually hold three days before the Nyepi Day. Several communal prayers will also be held until the last evening before the Nyepi Day. On this day the effigies of God (‘pratima’) and temple accessories of each village will be brought in a long and colorful procession to the beach or water spring or river accompanied by gamelan orchestra and followed by all villagers dress in traditional temple clothes.
The philosophy of this particular ‘Melasti’ rite to Balinese is to cleanse all impure things of human as well as the universe and to take the essences of life from the ocean. Ocean is the symbol of life itself that consistently consist of happiness and sadness. Within those happiness and sadness, we can find the essence of life.
Pengerupukan – 8th March, 2016
During the sunset time around 5 or 6 PM there will an event called Pengrupukan. Villagers will hold a procession with the fire torch and kulkul (loud bamboo noises). Since 1980 this procession also include procession of Ogoh – Ogoh, a giant monster doll, in the form of demon character as symbol of evil (bhuta). Before the procession, a ceremony is to perform to invite spirits to occupy the Ogoh- Ogoh, and after the procession another ceremony is held to neutralize the spirits by burning the Ogoh – Ogoh. The Balinese believe that the spirit of Evil (bhuta) will always be part of human and universe, and therefore this ceremony on this day is supposed to neutralize the bad spirit (bhuta) so it no longer becomes a disturbance but instead becomes positive force for the good of human and universe.
NYEPI DAY (Day of Silence) – 9th March, 2016
The main purpose of the Nyepi Day ceremonies is to pray to the God (Hyang Widhi Wasa). Nyepi Day also means to be a momentum to increase genuine solidarity and tolerance between people, accept the differences and similarities as natural factor of life and put them in a balance proportion so they can be in a positive side of life.
Folktales have it that during this day, the Leyak (Balinese ‘monster’ characterization of evil spirit) fly over and passes by the island of Bali, and therefore everybody has to fool them and make them believe that the island is empty and unoccupied.
This is the first day of the New Year. After the noisy night the night before, a Day of Silence and Quiet is performed. The activities all over Bali is stopped for 24 hours. The prohibitions include no fire, no work, no entertainment and pleasure, and no traveling. These prohibitions help people to control their five earthy senses by mind and wisdom, in order to increase the quality of life for upcoming year. For people with higher spiritual ability or willing to have higher spiritual life are expected to perform further prohibitions include fasting by not eating or drinking, stay still by not talking, meditating by focusing the mind to the God an praying.
The silence begin at 01.00 am of 9th March and the next 24 hours. The Airport will be totally closed on 9th March 2016 . Nobody is allowed to go outside of house or hotels. No light and sounds are allowed and should be kept to an utmost minimum after dark. There will be local village officer on duty to ensure everybody including visitors obey they the prohibitions.
Some exceptional are made only for hospital, emergency situation and family with very young babies. If you experience any emergency situation please let us know at the front office (ext 401) to obtain proper permission.
Ngembak Geni, a day of forgiveness – 10th March, 2016
The anti-climax of the Nyepi day is on the following day, which is called Ngembak Geni where people share happiness by visiting their relatives and friend. The new year is started by forgiving each other and forget the hate in the past year and work together to face the challenge of the New Year. Only a simple ritual rite is performed within the house compound for this day. However , various cakes will made to welcome the visit of relatives and friends.
OPENING HOURS DURING NYEPI:
• Restaurant, Room service and Spa remain open as usual
• Special “101 dining temptations” remain available except “Royal Tugudom”, “Forbidden City Dinner” and “Warung Tugu”.
REGULATION TO FOLLOW DURING NYEPI:
1. All guests should be back to the hotel on Friday 8th March by latest 10 pm
2. Do not go out of the hotel, minimize noise, cooking activities and lights from 8th March night until 10th March Morning:
During evening and night, please close curtains to avoid light going out.
Thank you very much for your cooperation in observing our tradition, hoping you will enjoy the peace while learning something about our culture. For additional information and assistance you can contact our Front office at ext. 401
Have a memorable “Nyepi Day” with Hotel Tugu Bali Family
