Bali Governor, I Made Mangku Pastika has sent reminders to all authorities, airlines and tour operators that Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport and all harbours to the island will be closed for 24 hours in conjunction with Nyepi, the one day in the year observed on Bali with Silence and Meditation.
Ngurah Rai Airport will be closed for 24 hours to all air traffic starting from 06.0 am on Saturday, 5 March to 06.0 am on Sunday, 6 March 2011. The airport will receive only technical landings, while all serving staff are required to remain within the airport compound for 24 hours.
The provincial government has also asked all Television and Radio Broadcasts to shut down for the day.
This year, Nyepi, which marks the Balinese New Year of Saka 1933, falls on Saturday, 5 March 2011. On this day there will be no traffic in the streets, no pedestrians on the roads or beaches, families are not allowed to light a fire, and there will be no lights during the entire night. Traditional security personnel, called pecalang will be patrolling the streets and beaches. Special arrangements are made for emergency cases.
The Principles of Nyepi
To the Balinese the Bali-Hindu New Year is a day to restore balance in the universe. This is done through strict observance of Nyepi, which demands both silence and darkness for 24-hours during the period from sunrise on 5th March to sunrise the following day.
In summary, religious observance of the day stipulate compliance to four tenets, namely:
• Amati geni - not to ignite fires or turn on lights.
• Amati Karya - refrain from all activities and work.
• Amati lelungan - to stay at home and embark on no trips or journeys
• Amati lelanguan - to not satisfy any passion or engage in other pleasurable pursuits.
To the Balinese the Bali-Hindu New Year is a day to restore balance in the universe. This is done through strict observance of Nyepi, which demands both silence and darkness for 24-hours during the period from sunrise on 5th March to sunrise the following day.
In summary, religious observance of the day stipulate compliance to four tenets, namely:
• Amati geni - not to ignite fires or turn on lights.
• Amati Karya - refrain from all activities and work.
• Amati lelungan - to stay at home and embark on no trips or journeys
• Amati lelanguan - to not satisfy any passion or engage in other pleasurable pursuits.
Consequently, all visitors to Bali are also required to stay indoors and do whatever activities within buildings only. No one is allowed on the beaches nor swimming pools. At night hotels will draw all curtains so as to keep lights from shining outside the hotel.
Kuta Beach Celebrations on Eve of Nyepi
On the Eve of Nyepi, starting 06.0 in the evening on 4 March, loud celebrations will be held on Kuta Beach, with highlight the ogoh-ogoh or huge papier-mache dolls symbolizing the evil spirit Bhuta Kala. Participated by 16 hamlets of Kuta, each displaying their respective effigy, the giant ogoh-ogoh will be paraded through the streets of Kuta and judged by a team of jury. There will also be performances of traditional music and dance.
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