Watch Ogoh-Ogoh, then Nyepi for a Day in Bali
On Nyepi day, which is New Year’s day in the Balinese Saka Calendar (a national holiday in Indonesia), the island of Bali turns off all lights and sounds, stops all traffic, deserts all worldly activities, and meditates, while complete silence and serenity reigns over the entire island. On this day, the entire island of Bali will come to a complete standstill-or "lock down" mode-to allow all to follow the prescribed rituals. Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport will be closed. No planes will land or take off for 24 hours. All traffic across Bali will be stopped. No pedestrian traffic is allowed on the beach or on the streets. All shops are closed. There will be local watchmen known as pecalang to ascertain that this rule is strictly obeyed. At night, all lights will have to be turned off. Hotels will close all curtains so that no ray of light shines to the outside. All sound and music indoors should be held to its lowest volume. On the eve of Nyepi, however, celebrations are held with large papier-mache giants, called ogoh-ogoh, paraded around accompanied by loud gamelan music. These are then torched and, it is believed, that with the conflagration, any evil spirits that have brought disease and misery to the island during the past year will have also been banished. Nyepi day is widely acclaimed as a fantastic effort to reduce pollution. An organization called CCC (Collaboration for Climate Change), initiated the World Silent Day based on Nyepi, and it has been officially approved by the United Nations. World Silent Day is set every March 21st.
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