During these past few days , tourists visiting Bali, the island of love, would be witnessing one of the cultural beauties of Bali as a series of ceremonies and rituals are being conducted by Hindu residents of Bali in the advent of the day of silence a.k.a hari Nyepi and Saka New year 1935.
Silence befalls Bali , but only for a day on March 12 2013
We wish you the day of Silence and Happy Saka New Year 1935
Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" or seclusion day that is commemorated every Isaawarsa (Saka new year) according to the Balinese calendar (in 2012, it fell on March 23rd). In 2013 it will fall on March 12, 2013 It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali, Indonesia. Nyepi, a Government holiday in Indonesia, is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New year.
It is generally observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and introspection
and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is
restricted.
The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights
must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no
traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of
these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are
deserted , Bo TVs and radios transmissions will be broadcast on the island , and few signs
of activity can be seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen
outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.
Even though Nyepi is primarily a Hindu
holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as
well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not
exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is
allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali
remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.
Bali
Governor Made Mangku Pastika sent a letter numbered 003.2/17319/DPIK dated 6
November 2012, to four Ministers, the
Minister of Transportation EE Mangindaan, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa,
Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi and Communication and Information Minister Tifatul
Sembiring.
in
connection with the temporary closing of Ngurah Rai International Airport due
to Nyepi Holiday, Saka New Year 1935 on Tuesday 12 March 2013. In addition , it
was also sent to Directorate General of Land, Water, and Air Transportation in
Communication and Information Ministry, as well as the Head of Bali Parliament
and all regents/ head of municipality in Bali.
“The
letter has been sent early so that it could be read out to any national and
international institutions,” the Head of Publicity Bureau Bali Province I Ketut
Teneng said.
The
letter was also copied to twenty seven related institutions in the central
level and Bali, including head of Airport Authority Office Area IV Tuban and
head of harbor in this area.
He
added that the letter of the Airport and Harbour closing was purposefully sent
early, which was four months prior to the day of silence a.k.a
Nyepi day
The
notice to those four Ministers was intended to be able to be disseminated to
airline companies both in Indonesia and overseas.
It
will not allow the airlines to schedule
flight to and from Bali when Hindus people are
doing their Tapa Brata Penyepian
.The four prohibitions observed by Hindus people on Nyepi include amati geni
(no lighting up fire), amati karya (no
working), amati lelungan (no travelling) and amati lelanguan (no indulging in pleasure
nor entertainment).
He
also added that the temporary closing of Ngurah Rai Airport this year will be
the fifteenth times since 1999, that
happens for twenty four hours since 06.00 am Wita to 06.00 am the next morning.
“Pastika
sent letter to the Ministers and related institutions about the airport closing,
which is supported by the letter of Air
Transportation Directorate General in Transportation Ministry dated 1 September
1999 about Ngurah Rai operational system,” Ketut Teneng explained.
The
notice from Bali Governor stated prohibition that must be obeyed by all people
in Bali, which is intended for all governmental institution (civics, TNI, and
Police), as well as private companies, religious groups , customs agency,
airlines, land transportation and cruise company.
He
said that, PT (Persero) Angkasa Pura I Ngurah Rai Airport have sent notice to
airmen regarding the temporary closing to all international
airlines both in Indonesia and abroad.
Early
socialization has also been carried
out with the involvement of travel agent and hotels to keep the visiting tourists to Bali informed
“By
knowing information about Nyepi as well as the temporary closing of Ngurah Rai
Airport, tourists coming from various parts of the world could fly to Bali one day earlier or delay
their departure one day after Nyepi,” Ketut Teneng wished.
On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks
up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from
one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.
Rituals
- First, The Melasti Ritual is performed 3-4 days beforehand. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa. The ritual is performed in Pura (Balinese temple) near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belonging to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea.
- Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is performed in order to vanquish the negative elements and create a balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual is also meant to appease Batara Kala by Pecaruan offering. Devout Hindu Balinese villages usually make ogoh-ogoh, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh.
- Third, the Nyepi Rituals are performed as follows:
- Amati Geni: No fire or light, including no electricity
- Amati Karya: No working
- Amati Lelunganan: No travelling
- Amati Lelanguan: Fasting and no revelry/self-entertainment
- Fourth, the Yoga/Brata Ritual starts at 6:00 a.m. and continues to 6:00 p.m. the next day.
- Fifth, the Ngembak Agni/Labuh Brata Ritual is performed for all Hindus to forgive each other and to welcome the new days to come.
- Sixth and finally, The Dharma Shanti Rituals is performed as the Nyepi Day or "Day of Silence."
- More on the day of silence 2012Day of Silence 2012, Saka new Year 1934
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