Anne MercadoIn Bali, embrace a tradition unlike any other in the world: Nyepi 2024, or the Day of Silence. For 24 hours, from 6am on 11 Mar to 6am on 12 Mar 2024, the island will transform into one of total calmness. The day marks Bali’s Saka New Year when locals and tourists pause regular life as usual to observe a day of complete silence, meditation, and reflection.
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What is Nyepi Day?
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Nyepi 2024 marks the Balinese New Year, celebrated according to the Saka calendar. The word Nyepi means “to go silent,” encapsulating the day’s purpose: a quiet pause for self-reflection and spiritual cleansing. It’s a time when the islanders connect with Hyang Widi Wasa, the supreme God of Indonesian Hinduism, through prayer and introspection.
The essence of Nyepi lies in its four core prohibitions, known locally as Catur Brata Penyepian. These prohibitions are amati geni (no fire or light, including electricity), amati karya (no working), amati lelunganan (no travelling), and amati lelanguan (no revelry or entertainment). These practices are observed for 24 hours from 6am on Nyepi Day.
A vibrant evening: the Ogoh-Ogoh festival
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The Ogoh-Ogoh Festival is a vibrant and essential part of the Nyepi Day celebrations in Bali, a unique cultural spectacle that intertwines mythology, art, and community spirit. Traditionally held on the eve of Nyepi, this festival features the creation and parade of elaborate, demon-like effigies made from papier-mâché — also known as Ogoh-Ogoh.
These giant puppets symbolise negative energies and spirits; meanwhile, the parade and subsequent burning are believed to purify the environment, driving away malevolent forces and welcoming the New Year with a clean slate.
Keep in mind that the Ogoh-Ogoh Festival has been cancelled for Nyepi 2024. However, village-level parades may still push through.
Celebrating Balinese New Year as a tourist
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The observance of Nyepi 2024 brings the entire island to a standstill. Residents and tourists alike must remain indoors, as businesses shutter, roads clear (saved for emergency vehicles), and even Ngurah Rai International Airport closes its gates, the only airport globally to cease operations for religious reasons. The silence extends to abstaining from all forms of entertainment — no lights, no music, no dancing. Even daily chores and public transport come to a standstill, creating an atmosphere of peace and quiet that blankets the entire island.
Most tourists don’t follow all the traditions of Nyepi Day, but they do have to stay within the hotel or resort grounds for the entire day. Treat it as a day to rest in between your Bali adventures. Whether you’re hanging out by the pool or lounging in your room, it gives you an opportunity to take a breather, before resuming island activities the following day!
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Spending a full day in what feels like a lockdown might not sound like the perfect way to enjoy Bali, but it’s an excellent chance to enrich your experience. View it as a time for deep meditation, self-reflection, and taking a break from digital distractions, in honour of Nyepi 2024.
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