The interesting thing is, Nyepi day is not just about the Day of Silence, here is the sequence of ceremonies performed on Nyepi day.

Nyepi Day, the Day of Silence, is the Balinese Hindu New Year. It is a day of fasting, silence, and meditation with the purpose of returning to pure spiritual harmony.

THE MELASTI CEREMONY
The Melasti Ceremony is a purification ritual before Nyepi. Usually, colorfulthe Melasti ritual is usually held three to four days before Nyepi day. During Melasti, you will have an opportunity to witness the finest Balinese culture, as Balinese people gather and flock to the beachcolourfulparade. The gamelan (Balinese ‘band’) follows the parade to the beach, where the Balinese bring their offerings. The purpose of Melasti is to clean the human body and the entire earth from bad spirits.

 

THE BUTA YAJNA RITUAL
The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is a ritual of holy sacrifice (Pecaruan offering) to overcome negative elements and create harmony between God, mankind, and nature. If you ever heard about Ogoh Ogoh Parade, then these giant sculpture ‘puppets’ is taking your attention in this ceremony. An Ogoh Ogoh represents the demonic spirit, but also Bhuta-Kala (Bhuta: eternal energy, Kala: eternal time) according to Hindu teachings. The Ogoh Ogohs are paraded in a convoy, and then burnt as a symbol of purification.

 

NYEPI PROCESSION
The Nyepi day is the New Year celebration on the Balinese Hindu calendar. Contrary to most New Year celebrations, Nyepi is reserved for meditation, introspection, fasting and praying. The Nyepi rituals consisting of five “rules” which must be adhered to by everyone, even the airport stops operating,: no fire or light, no working, no traveling, fasting and no entertainment. The purpose of those five points is to reach self-reflection and return the pure soul. Cleanse the soul, cleanse the world!

 

NGEMBAK GENI/ OMED-OMEDAN FESTIVAL
Ngembak Geni or also known as Omed-Omedan, is held a day after Nyepi day. This festival is unique, because Ngembak Geni or Omed-omedan is a kissing festival. This festival represents the push and pull of negative and positive elements. The youths take their place on the street and start kissing massively as the villagers splash them with water. On Ngembak Geni, the activity runs like usual. (what does this mean) This is also an opportunity to meet family and friends to ask forgiveness and greet each other.