Bali has always been like a second home to me after Jakarta. I lived and worked there, and even the company I am working for is located in Bali although I am physically in Jakarta. This connection makes Bali always special to me.
Just like most Indonesians who have more privilege due to the distant and fare to visit the island, I visit Bali at least once a year for holiday. However, there is one time which I would say is the best time to visit Bali where you could experience the pure and authentic Bali atmosphere: during their Day of Silence or mostly known as Nyepi.
The locals, and tourists who wish to participate in this celebration, usually go groceries a day before to ensure they have purchased all the necessities for the silent day at their place. People staying at houses or hostels are required to stay inside the building and for those staying in hotels, they could still enjoy their hotel facilities until a certain time and have to use a minimum amount of lights in rooms that are exposed to the outside.
There are Hindu policemen or what we call 'Pecalang'. They are rangers who patrol around the island to check and ensure this holy celebration is held conducive and peacefully. Just like police, pecalang will have the rights to arrest uncooperative people and take them to 'Banjar' for a penalty. Everyone, even the locals, takes this very seriously and always tries to comply with all the traditions.
Another thing that makes Nyepi unique is because it's done by the whole island - everyone is doing it and therefore, it's very conducive for people who wish to seek peace and calmness for a day, maybe for meditation, writing journals or simply rest.
I understand Nyepi might not be for everybody. However, I could guarantee introverts would love this experience.
For us tourists or non-Hindus living in Bali, we could do what we want as long as we stay in-house, do not make noises, and do not use excessive lights that could be seen from the outside. We must respect this celebration and comply with all the rules. In the case where we might miss any of these regulations, pecalang will knock on our doors during the day or shine a light through our window as a sign of warning.
I have experienced Nyepi five times; three times I stayed in hotels and two times I stayed at home (I used to live in Bali so I had a rental accommodation). Regardless of where I stayed during Nyepi, it did not make much difference to me.
If you are staying in the hotel, other than on the pricey side and the need to pack and still dress properly, you do not have to worry about your meals and you could relax in a more luxurious facility. I wrote a blog post about how I spent Nyepi in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa years ago. Guests are still able to enjoy the hotel facilities pretty much like normal during the day - as long as it's in the resort area.
Just like most Indonesians who have more privilege due to the distant and fare to visit the island, I visit Bali at least once a year for holiday. However, there is one time which I would say is the best time to visit Bali where you could experience the pure and authentic Bali atmosphere: during their Day of Silence or mostly known as Nyepi.
What is Nyepi?
Nyepi is basically a new year celebration for Hindus in Bali in which they celebrate in a unique and peaceful way. During Nyepi Day all people on the island (both Hindus and non-Hindus) are required to stay in house and not to do any outdoor activities the whole day. People are required to stay silent and not make any noise or use excessive lights at night. The island will be shut down during Nyepi and even the airport will be closed. No flights are scheduled on Nyepi Day and hotel check-ins and check-outs are not allowed.The locals, and tourists who wish to participate in this celebration, usually go groceries a day before to ensure they have purchased all the necessities for the silent day at their place. People staying at houses or hostels are required to stay inside the building and for those staying in hotels, they could still enjoy their hotel facilities until a certain time and have to use a minimum amount of lights in rooms that are exposed to the outside.
There are Hindu policemen or what we call 'Pecalang'. They are rangers who patrol around the island to check and ensure this holy celebration is held conducive and peacefully. Just like police, pecalang will have the rights to arrest uncooperative people and take them to 'Banjar' for a penalty. Everyone, even the locals, takes this very seriously and always tries to comply with all the traditions.
Why Nyepi is Unique?
We might have heard about 'Earth Hour' where we turn off the electricity for 60 minutes. We do it for the sake of our Mother Earth and let her breathe. It's only done for an hour and it's not compulsory but you could experience some kind of silence and darkness for a while. Now, imagine you have this for 24 hours. You would be in total silence - no transportation noises on the ground and in the air, no activity, no pollution, no electricity at night - and if you're lucky enough and the weather allows, you would be entertained by the night skies full of shining stars.Another thing that makes Nyepi unique is because it's done by the whole island - everyone is doing it and therefore, it's very conducive for people who wish to seek peace and calmness for a day, maybe for meditation, writing journals or simply rest.
I understand Nyepi might not be for everybody. However, I could guarantee introverts would love this experience.
What Are We Supposed to Do During Nyepi?
Based on my knowledge, Hindus will pray and self-medicate during Nyepi. They need to cleanse their soul to welcome the new year. I am not really sure about the exact Balinese rituals during Nyepi but you could read more information here.For us tourists or non-Hindus living in Bali, we could do what we want as long as we stay in-house, do not make noises, and do not use excessive lights that could be seen from the outside. We must respect this celebration and comply with all the rules. In the case where we might miss any of these regulations, pecalang will knock on our doors during the day or shine a light through our window as a sign of warning.
I have experienced Nyepi five times; three times I stayed in hotels and two times I stayed at home (I used to live in Bali so I had a rental accommodation). Regardless of where I stayed during Nyepi, it did not make much difference to me.
If you are staying in the hotel, other than on the pricey side and the need to pack and still dress properly, you do not have to worry about your meals and you could relax in a more luxurious facility. I wrote a blog post about how I spent Nyepi in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa years ago. Guests are still able to enjoy the hotel facilities pretty much like normal during the day - as long as it's in the resort area.
This year, I spent Nyepi with my best friend. We opted for a mountainous Nyepi experience hoping to see the stars better but unfortunately, the weather was very cloudy during the night and therefore, we saw nothing in the darkness. We saw fireflies for the first time tho! They were flying across the paddy fields at night just like in the movie scene of 'The Good Dinosaur'. As it was up in the mountain, we heard nothing but the sounds of birds chirping and forest insects at night. Very quiet, very dark but very peaceful.
Meanwhile, when you stay at your very own place during Nyepi, you could do anything you want basically. If you could be in total darkness, I would recommend you to cover all the windows at your place with a carton or newspaper so lights would not be seen from outside. You could just be wearing your pajamas all day without having to be seen. Just ensure you have your Wi-Fi and laptop, or your favorite books or movies with snacks, then, you're good to go.
The same thing with electricity. Basically, electricity will still be on as usual: refrigerator, air con, and TV but it's the noises and the lights that are required to be set minimum.
Bali is an island that has it all; from the craziest nightlife to the purest self-healing. The island and its cultures have a lot of life lessons to offer for those who would like to come and be a student.
Bali is special, and that's why it breaks our hearts when we see news or media circulating about irresponsible tourists who would come to Bali only for creating YOLO moments or contents. Together with all people who love Bali, let's wish that Bali would always be deterred from all of those negative energies.
Meanwhile, when you stay at your very own place during Nyepi, you could do anything you want basically. If you could be in total darkness, I would recommend you to cover all the windows at your place with a carton or newspaper so lights would not be seen from outside. You could just be wearing your pajamas all day without having to be seen. Just ensure you have your Wi-Fi and laptop, or your favorite books or movies with snacks, then, you're good to go.
Like I said, introverts would love this!
Does Internet Work on Nyepi?
Local providers would deactivate your 3G/4G/5G/LTE services. I use Telkomsel and around 5 AM they turned off the data. You could still make calls and send regular texts anyway. But, Wi-Fi connection is still working unless, the hotel or the place owners turn it off deliberately in the evening.The same thing with electricity. Basically, electricity will still be on as usual: refrigerator, air con, and TV but it's the noises and the lights that are required to be set minimum.
When Does Nyepi End?
Nyepi will end at 6 AM on the following day. The roads will be back open and people could continue their activities as usual. However, the island usually will not be fully functional yet. Some shops would be seen still closed for the rest of the week as the locals are usually still in their hometown. Major tourist destinations would be back open (but always take time to double-check to avoid any disappointment).For me, Nyepi period is one of the best times to visit Bali because it's still in low season, less traffic, and the air quality is purified after Nyepi. The first thing I did after Nyepi ended was bathing in the beach while praying in my heart "let this soul be cleansed".
Bali is an island that has it all; from the craziest nightlife to the purest self-healing. The island and its cultures have a lot of life lessons to offer for those who would like to come and be a student.
Bali is special, and that's why it breaks our hearts when we see news or media circulating about irresponsible tourists who would come to Bali only for creating YOLO moments or contents. Together with all people who love Bali, let's wish that Bali would always be deterred from all of those negative energies.
