Bali's Day of Silence

The people of Bali will celebrate tomorrow the coming of the annual Hindu Day of Silence. The day is popularly termed Nyepi and is part of the Balinese calendar, which is adopted from the Saka calendar. This Hindu calendar has its origins in southern India during the reign of a ruler by that name. The Saka calendar is a lunar calendar and each of the 12 lunar months ends with a new moon, called Tilem. The Balinese New Year, the first day after the tenth lunar month, is called Nyepi and is an important religious day.

The Hindus are highly guided by the "Ari Hita Karana" or the principle, philosophy that stresses harmony with God, harmony with fellow human beings and harmony with the environment. Disharmony prevailing any of these will result in one sort of catastrophe or other.

The Day of Silence provides the momentum for contemplation. People are required to review what has happened over the last year and hope for a better life in the succeeding year.

The Day of Silence is observed in the strictest manner to the extent that people are prohibited from engaging in routine activities such as working, traveling and enjoying entertainment. And fires and lights are not allowed during daylight hours. Even Bali's international airport in Denpasar has been asked to halt activities on Nyepi, though hospitals can continue operating. In short, all activities are focused on remaining quiet and thanking the Creator for what He has bestowed to the Earth and all His creations.

The spirit of "Nyepi" refers to tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence in order that all religious people can live in peace and do away with the use of violence in solving problems that may arise between individuals or groups.