Nyepi Day is in Bali a 'Day of Silence'. By law tourists are required to stay on this day within the hotel grounds. This day generally falls in the month of March or April. Many festivals are held before and after this very special day.
The Balinese Hindus celebrate the coming of the New of Caka Calendar in silence, which is called NYEPI DAY. It announces the end of the rainy season and the beginning of spring.
The day before NYEPI, called : "NGERUPUK" ceremonies of special nature take place to purify the island of Bali and drive out evil spirits by magic curses, drums, noise and other customs. The highlight of the day is celebrated in Denpasar and also at other Villagers with a carnival of “ Ogoh-Ogoh”, in various shapes of fantastic creatures /monsters like Demons, Gods, animals, human being, etc, in the afternoon and evening of 12th April 2002.
NYEPI is a day of rest and silence. It is totally silence. No activities are allowed to take place throughout the Island. These mandatory religious prohibitions include "no pleasure, no traffic, no fire, and no work. In other words, during the Nyepi Day , all activities - daily, leisure and work - are prohibited. Beaches, shops, offices and all establishments are closed. No one is allowed into Bali on this day as all points of entry – the airport and the seaport - are closed. These prohibitions aim at controlling oneself and submission to God.
Especially for International hotels & villas, the Government allows them to serve their guest, however, with reduced activities and minimum lights and noise on their premises.
The hotels & villas management kindly ask you not to leave their hotels & villas premises as the Balinese may take this as an insult and disrespect of their religion and customs. Again, all tourists are advised to respect this special day.
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