8 Need to know tips about Nyepi Day in Bali.
How do Westerners open the New Year? With revelry.
How do the Balinese open their own New Year? With a full day of silence, called Nyepi.
Nyepi is Bali’s “Day of Silence” is Wednesday 26 March, 2025. It is a Hindu celebration mainly in Bali. Nyepi Day is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese.
After a full year of accumulating impurities, Bali must be completely cleansed. This is a prelude to Nyepi by every village on the island. This is known as Melasti and is a spectacular procession of Balinese walking to the beach or rivers for purification.
The evening prior to Nyepi there is a parade of Ogoh Ogoh (paper mache monsters) in every village to scare aware the evil spirits. The monsters represent all objects, people or anything that can disrupt human life.
From 6.a.m on the morning on Nyepi to 6.a.m the following day is silent, so the bad spirits scared aware the night before do not return. It is also a day reserved for self reflection and meditation. The main restrictions are no lightning fire (and light 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 restrictions is that Bali and its usual bustling streets are empty. There is no noise, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the pecalang, traditional security who patrol the street to ensure the prohibitions are being followed. Although Nyepi is a Hindu Holiday, non Hindu residents and tourists are not exempt from restrictions. Although free to do as they wish inside their hotel, strictly no one is allowed on beaches or streets and the airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day.
The world is then pure as everything is cleansed, ready for a brand new year,
On day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni (Relighting the fire) or Nyepi Manis, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another.
If you are lucky enough to be staying in Bali on the Day of Silence, enjoy this special time. Nyepi is definitely something special to Bali that you cannot experience anywhere else in the world!
8 Tips You Should Know about Nyepi Day in Bali.
- The Nyepi Ritual begins a few days prior with the Melasti procession, which is an amazing sight to see. Read more about Melasti Day HERE.
- Another spectacular sight is the Ogoh Ogoh Parade which starts just after dark on the eve of Nyepi. Do some research, ask your hotel or local people where you can watch the parade that will be within walking distance.
- Nyepi always falls on a new moon.
- EVERYONE must abide by the rules of Nyepi, namely inside the grounds of their home or hotel from 6am to 6am. After dark curtains must be closed and light minimal.
- Since no one can leave their accommodation on Nyepi day, most hotels will offer special two-night Nyepi Stay Packages to keep everyone occupied on during the mandatory 24 hours inside resort grounds. Most packages will offer meals, full access to the hotel’s facilities and sometimes vouchers for spa treatments. Even the kids will be taken care of with games, activities and movie marathons!
- If you are not staying in a hotel then you will need to stock up on some food or maybe use this opportunity to join the Balinese for a 24 hour food fast.
- As Balinese people go back to their village shops and restaurants in tourist areas will start to close a day or two prior to Nyepi. Make sure to check with your favorites when they will close and for how many days.
- Don’t forget to stargaze at night, because without any light pollution, the sky is a blanket of sparkles!
