]]>
Unlike many of the Western New Year celebrations, the Balinese celebrate New Year in silence. Nyepi, the Day of Silence was on 21 March 2015. The day before Nyepi is called Tawur Sekenga and this is the day ceremonies are held to exorcise the bad spirits. After sunset processions are held on the main village cross roads with ogoh-ogoh, beautifully crafted monsters symbolising the evil spirits. On Nyepi day itself the whole of Bali is eerie quiet. The Balinese believe that on this day the evil spirits will fly over Bali and if the spirits think the island is deserted they will leave them alone for the rest of the year. This is why no one is allowed to leave the house, make noise or turn on lights during the evening. It's quite a contrast between the throngs of people and the loud noises of Tawur Sekenga and the quiet of Nyepi. Nyepi is a great day to read and catch up on sleep.
]]>