'Nyepi' silence descends upon Bali<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The resort island of Bali went quiet on Friday as people on the
\npredominantly Hindu island celebrated the Hindu Day of Silence,
\nor Nyepi, on Friday.<\/p>\n
Towns and villages across the island were deserted as people
\nstayed indoors, avoiding light, work, entertainment and travel
\nfor 24 hours from dawn Friday until dawn Saturday.<\/p>\n
Hindus contemplate their lives on the holiday, which marks the
\nHindu Saka New Year of 1927.<\/p>\n
The celebration also affected non-Hindus, including foreign
\ntourists. Some stayed put in hotels, while others escaped the
\nquiet by going to Mataram city in West Nusa Tenggara.<\/p>\n
The only sounds were the wind and the birds in several
\nnormally busy areas Denpasar, Antara news agency reported.<\/p>\n
Muslims, who conducted their Friday prayers in mosques, were
\nasked to walk instead of using motorized vehicles. Mosques also
\nrefrained from outside broadcasts of the call to prayer.<\/p>\n
In Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur and other tourist centers in Bali,
\nthe streets were deserted except for a few food sellers standing
\nidly on street crossings.<\/p>\n
The Ngurah Rai International Airports and four seaports across
\nthe island were also closed for a day. Bali's only TV station,
\nBali TV, stayed off the air for the day as well.<\/p>\n
The only Balinese Hindus who could leave their homes with a
\nclear conscience were those in medical emergencies, a state
\nofficial said.<\/p>\n
\"There is no dispensation except for those people who need to
\ngo to hospital,\" said Bali administration spokesman Anak Agung
\nGde Bagus Netra.<\/p>\n
Bali has a population of 3.2 million.<\/p>\n
Outside Bali, Hindu adherents usually celebrate Nyepi by going
\nto the temple to pray.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nyepi-silence-descends-upon-bali-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}