Balinese Day of Silence and Self Reflection
Marking the start of Hindu Balinese “Saka” Year, Balinese honour the first day of the new year, Hari Nyepi, by reserving themselves for self-reflections in silent. All business activities are closed during the day, that includes the airport and no flights allowed to run. The usage of electricity is down on the island as the Balinese go to seclusion: no lighting fires; no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no travelling; and some Balinese even not talking to each other and fasting for the whole day.
The silence begins sunrise around 6:00 am and will go on until the next 24 hours. In light of what’s going on in the world right now, when the world seems to pause, the ritual of Hari Nyepi reminds us to reconnect with oneself, to do self-healing and self-reflection.
If you were in Bali today, you would experience the ultimate quiet and tranquil day. Wishing you a peaceful day.
Thanks for these calming thoughts…
My pleasure 🙂 we need that these days..
Seems perfect
Thank you!
What a wonderful custom to honor the new year and life itself with a national day of silence and inner reflection. Most appropriate at this time. Thanks Indah.
I find it a unique ritual when starting a new beginning of the year, avoiding the crowds and parties. Sometimes we forget the importance of being on our own to reflect on ourselves.
I’ve done that too, but love the idea of the whole country honoring inner reflection.
I would love to experience this on my next visit. I’ve marked my calendar for next year.
I have never been in Bali during the period of Hari Nyepi, but it should be quite an interesting week to be there. The Balinese has a week of religious ritual events in celebrating the new year.
Wonderful image and thought!
Thank you!
Terima kasih INdah. I surmise you’re in Bali. Worst places to be stuck and locked up.
Stay safe.
brian
My pleasure! Oh, I am not in Bali at this moment. All my blog posts from the past travel. Now have to implement working from home, as a mandate from Jakarta’s Governor and my office in light of COVID-19. I hope you are well too and stay safe.
So good to hear from you “kawan saya”. Yes, do implement home office. And stay safe.
Selamat… pagi (morning for you now, right?) 😉
This was so calming to me… thank you! ☺️
My pleasure, Nancy 🙂
Loving your Buddha image, very soothing