Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence)
Next: March 8, 2027
A whole island, holding its breath.
The story
Where it comes from
Nyepi is the Day of Silence that opens the new year in the Saka calendar kept by Balinese Hindus, which counts its years from 78 CE. It falls on the day after the new moon of the ninth month, Kesanga, usually in March, and is a national holiday across Indonesia. The name comes from sepi, meaning quiet or still. The silence is a time of self-restraint and reflection, when Hindus pray for both the inner world of each person and the wider world around them to be made pure again for the year ahead.
How it's celebrated
Days before, communities carry sacred objects to the sea or a spring for Melasti, a purification. On the eve, Pengerupukan, offerings are made and giant ogoh-ogoh figures are paraded through the streets. Then, from 6 am, Bali stops for 24 hours under four restraints, the Catur Brata Penyepian: no fire or light, no work, no travel and no entertainment. On the next day, Ngembak Geni, fires are lit again and families visit to ask one another's forgiveness.
Did you know
- Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport suspends all regular flights for the full 24 hours of Nyepi every year.
- Village guards called pecalang watch over the empty streets to see that the silence is kept, making way only for emergencies.
- Visitors keep the day too: roads and harbours close, and hotels ask guests to stay inside with the lights low.
The greeting
Selamat Hari Raya Nyepi
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