MELASTI & HARI RAYA NYEPI
The largest celebrations are held in Bali as well as in Balinese Hindu communities around Indonesia. Preparation for Nyepi begins about one month before especially with the building of Ogooh-Ogooh, giant representation of evil spirits. The tension becomes almost palpable as many ceremonies are held on the beach.
The most important and beautiful ceremony prior to Nyepi is called Melasti. Nyepi is one of the most spectacular festivities of the year and if you plan your vacation in that period of time, you should definitely plan it so you don’t miss it! Villagers, carrying long-poled umbrellas, proceed in lines towards a source of water - a holy spring or the sea. Women carry offerings of fruit, cakes and flowers and men carry the sacred family statues on bamboo litters.
At the sea, the pedanda prays and rings his small bells whilst the men carrying the litters rush the sacred figures into the water symbolically washing them and thus purifying the statues. Its purpose is to purify Buhana Alit (Earth) and Bhuana Agung (the universe) from all bad influences, deeds and thoughts. It reminds everyone of the value of life and help prepare one’s soul for Nyepi.
On the day before Nyepi, villages are cleansed, food is cooked for 2 days. In the evening, villagers make as much noise as possible to scare away the devils. On the morning of Nyepi’s day, children will blow firecrackers in a last but hopeless attempt to scare away the demons. At sunset, the evil spirit will descend on Earth and the fight begins. Torches are lit everywhere and firecrackers will continue to blow up. Men drink Arak and carry around the Ooh-Gooh on bamboo platform waving them around, turning around to confuse their evil foes. Quite a bumpy ride! After hours of merciless fight, the evil spirits are vanquished and return to where they came from.
When midnight comes, everything must stop in order to make evil spirits believe the Earth is emptied from all living soul. For 24 hours, all activities must stop.
No one must go out, nor lights can be lit. And the same goes for you, friendly visitor: You are not allowed to leave your hotel, villa or guest house for 24 hours. No check-in. No check-out. No arrival nor departure flights at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar.
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Melasti Ceremony is a Hindu religious ceremony to purify Bhuana Alit (small world) and Bhuana Agung (the universe), held as one of the rituals to welcome Nyepi Day (the Balinese New Year). This ceremony is performed with a parade procession followed by thousands of Balinese Hindu, bringing all the ceremony equipments, sacred objects from ...
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Eka Dasa Rudra is a series of processions, ceremonies, and sacrifices held every 100 years at Pura Besakih, the "mother temple" of Bali. Unfortunately, this magnificent ceremony is also a painful memory for Balinese people: On March 17, 1963, the Eka Dasa Rudra was under way when Agung catastrophically erupted and killed more ...
Held annually in the Wuku Calendar, the Galungan festivities last ten days, when Sanghyang Widi comes down to Earth. Deified ancestors of the family come down to the family home. They must be entertained and are welcomed by prayers and offerings. Families who haven’t yet cremated their ancestors must bring offerings to their graves. ...
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Bali has sure seen the birth and progress of numerous bands this year, and here we are, happy to do our part related to the births and happenings related to the island's music scene! We are sure passionate to cheer for the newcomers to make their way and earn their place, of course starting in the local scene. This week we...
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