Nyepi is celebrated every year in Bali (based on Balinese calendar). Nyepi is mainly celebrated in Bali. It is a public holiday in Indonesia. On Nyepi day, all shops and businesses are closed including public services such as airport, public offices, etc. But hospitals are still open for emergency situations. Nyepi starts from 6 am to 6 am the next morning.
On Nyepi day there are some restrictions. The restrictions are no lighting fire, no travelling, no entertainment, and no working. Everyone is not allowed to go out. The only people outdoors are pecalang. Pecalang are traditional security men in Bali. They patrol on the streets to make sure the prohibitions are being followed. Nyepi is a Hindu holiday but non Hindu residents and also tourists are not allowed to go out. They can still do the activities they want inside the hotels. Actually there are some ceremonies before and after Nyepi:
Before Nyepi:
Melasti :
Melasti or melis or mekiis is a purification rituals. Hindu people go to the beach or spring water. They carry Hindus god symbols to the sea for purification purpose. Hindu people also believe that this ritual is done to clean the human body (people in Bali call it Bhuana Alit) and to clean the universe (Bhuana Agung).
Pengrupukan :
Pengrupukan is celebrated one day before the silence. On this day people in Bali have ogoh-ogoh parade. The parade normally starts at 6.30 pm. Ogoh-ogoh is like giant dolls. Ogoh-ogoh normally have form of demons. The purpose of ogoh-ogoh parade is the purification of the natural environment from the bad spirit.
After Nyepi
Ngembak Geni :
One day after Nyepi is called Ngembak Geni. On this day Hindu people usually visit their family and do certain religious rituals together. People start to do their activities again after 24 hours staying at home.