What is Silent Day or Nyepi Day?
Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that falls on Bali's Lunar New Year. It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation.

The activities in all over the Bali Island are stopped for 24 hours. Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. There are four mandatory religious prohibitions called Catur Brata Penyepian that should be followed by common Hindu people in Bali. The prohibitions include amati geni or no fire, amati karya or no work, amati lelanguan or no entertainment and pleasure, and amati lelungan or no travelling. These prohibitions help people to control their five earthy senses by mind and wisdom in order to increase the quality of life for the upcoming year. For people with higher spiritual ability or willing to have higher spiritual life are expected to perform further prohibitions include fasting by not eating or drinking, stay still by not talking, meditating by focusing the mind to the God and praying.

The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

The day before Nyepi, villages hold a large exorcist ceremony at the main village crossroad, the meeting place of demons. At night all the demons of the Bali world are let loose on the roads in carnival of fantastic monsters, the Ogoh ogoh. "Tawur Agung Kesanga" (Great Sacrificial Ceremony) ritualism held on March 25, 2009 in welcoming "Nyepi" holiday, starting from every family compound, village up to regency area focused at Ubud-Square, downtown of Ubud at 12.00 noon. The ritual will be followed by procession of "Ogoh-ogoh" (huge monster dolls) symbolizing evil spirits along the village and city roads in the evening. The parade is held all over Bali after sunset. The banjar neighborhoods and hundreds of youth associations make their own Ogoh Ogoh monsters. Some are giants from the classical Balinese lore, while other are Guitarists, biker and other modern day icons. Complete with fangs, bulging eyes and scary hair, illuminated by torches and with the accompaniment of the most demonic gameland music (Bleganjur) of the Balinese repertoire, the surge suddenly by the hundreds from every street, some more horrible than the others.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.

Travel notes on Silent Day/Nyepi Day

This holiday celebration will start from 06.00 AM on 26th March 2009 until 06.00 AM on 27th March 2009.
The flight operation in Ngurah Rai Airport will not fully activate, with details as below:

a) Domestic and International Flights
Flights with last destination at Ngurah Rai Airport and first departure from Ngurah Rai Airport will not operate. Embarkation will be allowed for transit flights only, and no embarkation is allowed for passengers with last destination to Denpasar or departs from Denpasar.

b) Over fly, Technical Landing, and Emergency Landing (including Medical Evacuation).
During the holiday celebration, it will only be allowed for Overfly, Technical landing, and Emergency Landing (including Medical Evacuation). Technical Landing, aircraft’s crews and passengers in particular, are obliged to stay at the airport territory during the celebration (24 hours).

All entry to Bali via sea-ports will be closed during the celebration.

Customary dispensations which is issued by the traditional villages, will be given to those carrying the sick, women giving birth to a child or to those who are in a hazardous condition.

Information on the schedule and location for pre-ceremonial and post-ceremonial
March 24, 2009
"Mekiyis or melasti" ceremony, the procession of Hindu followers carrying temple effigies to the beach for purification ceremony in welcoming "Nyepi" the Icaka New Year. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi/Vishnu-Devas-Bataras and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea.
Location: Sanur and Kuta beach

March 25. 2009
"Tawur Agung Kesanga ceremony "is a great sacrificial ceremony offered to the underworld spirits for not disturbing human being's settlement (at 12.00 noon) followed by procession of ogoh-ogoh , huge doll symbolizing evil spirits in the evening.
Location: Square or cross road of town and village throughout Bali.

March 26. 2009
"Nyepi" holiday, the Icaka new year 1931, the day of absolute silence for Hindu followers, when no activity is done, no fire is lit, no traveling anywhere and no amusement is held for the day and night
Location: Throughout Bali

March 27. 2009
"Med-Medan" traditional event, this event is held in connection with "Nycpi" the Icaka New Year, involving maidens and bachelors of the village as to strengthen brotherhood and understanding among the youth. Initiated with prayer at the local temple, the group members then hug one another, getting thoroughly wet under water sprouted by someone. It is indeed a cheerful moment for all, held about at 15:00 hours.
Location: Banjar Kaja, Sesetan village, south of Denpasar