subject: Nyepi Day A Day For Celebration In Silence [print this page] Wherever in the world it may be, it can be rest assured that people have their own unique way of celebrating life, traditions and customs. This is more often than not brought to life by the many festivals and specific days that have been marked off in their calendars. The Balinese people are no different. With a majority of them practicing Hinduism, they follow many different calendars to mark the flow of their lives. For the many holy days, celebrations, temple anniversaries and other important non-business related milestones in their lives the Balinese people use two distinct calendar systems; One, known as Pawukon or Week, and the other known as Sasih or Month.
While the Western civilization may open their New Year with much revelry and celebration, the Balinese people chose ring in their New Year in an opposite manner. The Balinese New Year, which usually falls in March, is celebrated with a day of silence that has come to be known as Nyepi Day. This wow of silence is followed from six in the morning all the way till six am the following day. It is believed that this day in March begins a new year of a year called the Saka Hindu which has its roots all the way back to 78 A.D.
Preparation for this day starts three days before. Known as Melasti, the Balinese people pour into the streets various bamboo and paper-mache monsters which are believed to have the power to stay evil spirits. The constructions are usually done by the youth and are depictions of Balinese folklore. These representations of the Hindu Gods are commonly known as ogoh-ogohs and are styled with messy hair, bulging eyes, huge fangs and bright colors. Its a symbol of all evil spirits that must be dispersed in order for the people to have peaceful and harmonious New Year ahead.
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