Celebration

Nyepi is a Balinese “Day of silence” and it memorializes every Isakawarsa (Saka New Year) . According to the Balinese  Calendar,  it fails on March, every year. That is Hindu Celebration and mainly celebrated in Bali. Nyepi is a public holiday in Indonesia. What the Balinese do during Nyepi? They meditate , pray-and fast for 24 hours from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m the next day. Anything cannot interfere with that purpose. It is restrictive. The main restriction is no lighting fires or the light must be kept low, no work, no travel, no pleasure, no eating or talking. The only people to be outside are the Pecalang, the security men who patrol the streets to ensure the rules are obeyed.

The day for celebrating after Nyepi is known as Ngembak Geni (Relighting the Fire) and people can go back to having   normal activities again. The family and friends gather to ask forgiveness from  each other. The six rituals will be represented during the celebration:

• First, The Melasti Ritual. This ritual is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa(God). All Balinese go  to Pura (Balinese Temple) for purifying Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belonging to several temples and get the sacred water from the sea.
• Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual for expelling the negative elements and creating  a balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. They sacrifice animals and bang on  pots and bamboo to make noise along with burning coconut leaves to clear the demons away in the Sunset.
• Third, the Nyepi Rituals are performed as follows:
• Amati Geni:                   No fire or light, including no electricity
• Amati Karya:                No work
• Amati Lelunganan:        No travel
• Amati Lelanguan:          No revelry/self-entertainment
• Fourth, the Yoga/Brata Ritual for 24 hours from 6 a.m. till 6 a.m. the next day.
• Fifth, the Ngembak Agni/Labuh Brata Ritual which is when all Hindus forgive each other and welcome a new day
• Sixth is ending with The Dharma Shanti Rituals after all rituals of Nyepi are done.