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Nyepi Day, Lembongan Hotels, Lembongan Resorts, Lembongan Bungalows, Lembongan Villas, The Lembongan Traveller, Nusa Lembongan Hotels, Nusa Lembongan Resorts, Nusa Lembongan Bungalows, Nusa Lembongan Villas,
March 21, 2025

Nyepi Day

NYEPI DAY 2025: A GUIDE TO BALI’S DAY OF SILENCE

On 29th  March 2025, Bali will come to a complete standstill for Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence. Marking the start of the Hindu New Year, this sacred day is a time for self-reflection, cleansing, and renewal. While the island embraces total silence and stillness, understanding the traditions, preparations, and guidelines will help you appreciate the significance of this unique cultural event.

THE MEANING OF NYEPI

Nyepi is rooted in the Balinese Saka calendar and is deeply spiritual for the Hindu community. It is a day dedicated to introspection, allowing individuals to meditate on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead. Unlike typical New Year celebrations, Nyepi is observed with complete silence, darkness, and stillness to cleanse the world of negative energies and restore harmony.

BALINESE TRADITIONS LEADING UP TO NYEPI

Melasti Ceremony

A few days before Nyepi, Balinese Hindus gather for the Melasti Ceremony, a purification ritual held on the beaches. Dressed in traditional attire, families carry sacred objects from temples to the ocean, symbolising the cleansing of both the body and the earth from impurities. This vibrant and spiritual procession is a must-see for those in Bali during this time.

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade

On the eve of Nyepi, villages across Bali and Nusa Lembongan come alive with the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade. Gigantic, intricately designed paper-mâché effigies representing demons and evil spirits are carried through the streets in a lively procession. The night culminates in the burning of these statues, symbolising the purification of negative elements and a fresh start for the New Year. This parade is a highlight of Nyepi celebrations and a captivating experience for visitors.

NYEPI DAY RESTRICTIONS

From 6 AM on 29th March until 6 AM on 30th March, Bali and Nusa Lembongan observe complete silence. During this 24-hour period, the following restrictions are enforced:

  • No lights or electricity – homes and accommodations keep lighting minimal or off.
  • No work – businesses close, and daily activities pause.
  • No entertainment or noise – including music, television, and outdoor activities.
  • No travel – roads are empty as locals and tourists stay within their accommodations.
  • No cooking or eating (for some) – devout Hindus observe fasting.

While these practices are rooted in Hindu traditions, all residents and tourists are expected to follow them.

On Nusa Lembongan, the observance of Nyepi is even stricter than in Bali, with most accommodations operating with minimal or no staff and without power for the entire day. Visitors should prepare accordingly and respect the local customs.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR NYEPI DAY

To ensure a smooth and respectful Nyepi experience, consider the following preparations:

  • Stock up on food and essentials in advance – supermarkets and restaurants will be closed.
  • Charge your devices – power may be limited or unavailable in some accommodations.
  • Plan for a quiet, restful day – bring books, journals, or meditation guides.
  • Respect the silence – keep noise levels minimal and remain indoors.

BOAT SCHEDULE CHANGES

For those travelling to or from Nusa Lembongan, please note:

  • No boats will operate on 29th March 2025.
  • A revised schedule will apply on 28th March.
  • Normal boat services will resume on 30th March.

For further details or bookings, please WhatsApp +61 478 928 925.

Nyepi is a profound and beautiful tradition that showcases Bali’s deep spiritual roots. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, embracing this day of stillness offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and connect with the serene energy of the island.

We trust all guests will honour and respect this sacred occasion, making it a memorable part of their Balinese experience.

Lembongan Hotels, Lembongan Resorts, Lembongan Bungalows, Lembongan Villas, The Lembongan Traveller, Nusa Lembongan Hotels, Nusa Lembongan Resorts, Nusa Lembongan Bungalows, Nusa Lembongan Villas,
September 15, 2024

Galungan & Kuningan Day in Nusa Lembongan

Galungan and Kuningan day in Nusa Lembongan are two of the most important days on their calendar. Galungan is the day when all Balinese Hindu people celebrate Darma (good spirit) win over Adharma (bad spirit). Galungan is always celebrated on a Wednesday and ten days later, Kuningan is on a Saturday every 6 months (210 days) in the Balinese calendar. This year Galungan is on 23rd of April and Kuningan is on 3rd of May 2025.

The spirits of deceased relatives who have died and been cremated return to visit their former homes, the living family members have a responsibility to be hospitable through prayer and making offerings.

Read on to gain an understanding of what takes place on and in the lead up to Galungan and Kuningan Day on Nusa Lembongan.

It is celebrated with colour, as magnificent penjors ( large bamboo poles with offerings suspended at the ends) are installed along the roadside of businesses and homes.

25 days before Galungan, Hindus people will have ceremony call “ Tumpek Wariga’’ which is for the trees, especially those that will be used for Galungan like coconu, mango & banana trees.   They pray that these trees will having fruit for them to use as offerings on Galungan day.

6 days before Galungan, is called ‘’Sugihan Jawa’’, in Lembongan people will clean all the temples, surrounding areas and also the things that they will use for the ceremony on Galungan day

 

 

5 days before Galungan, is called  ‘’Sugihan Bali’’ on this day people will start to make offering from coconut leaves. Women in the family will start making a variety of offerings totally over 500+ by Gulangan day.

 

3 days before Galungan , is called ‘’Penyekeban’, people will go to their garden to harvest fruit and do fermentation of banana so they can use it in offerings and ceremonies for Galungan.

 

2 days before Galungan, is called ‘’Penyajaan’’ on this day Lembongan people will make Balinese cake and crackers to use in offerings for Galungan ceremonies.

1 day before Galungan, is called ‘’Penampahan’, men from the families will put up Penjors they have made from bamboo, coconut leaf, rice, garden produce, some will include seaweed, fruit, Balinese crackers & cake, plus one piece of yellow and white  cloth with the gods symbol on it. Families decorate their temples, house and prepare food such as satay and a special Balinese soup called “ares” made from chicken/pork  and banana tree trunk ready for the day ahead of celebrations.

On Galungan day,  people will start the day early with ceremonies from 5am at their house, they will then move onto their family temple and continue visiting other temples in their village. Normally the ceremonies will finish around 1pm.  They then return to their homes to enjoy a feast of food with their family and friends.

 

The day after Galungan, is called ‘’Umanis Galungan’’ this is time for the Lembongan people to take a break and relax with their families after long days preparing Galungan ceremonies.

Kuningan day, is celebrated 10 days after Galungan by the Lembongan people with smaller offerings than on Galungan.

 

5 days before Kuningan is the day Lembongan people will start to make offerings from coconut leaves.

3 days before Kuningan is called ‘’Penyekeban’’ people will go to their garden to harvest fruits and do fermentation from banana so they can use it in offerings and ceremonies for Kuningan.

2 days before Kuningan, is called ‘’Penyajaan’’ on this day Lembongan people will make Balinese cake and crackers to use in offerings for Kuningan ceremonies.

 

1 day before Kuningan  is called ‘’Penampahan’’, people will decorate their temple with new offerings for Kuningan also making satay as they did at Galungan, plus preparing the special dish called Nasi Kuning (yellow rice) which is symbolic of Kuningan Day.

 

 

On Kuningan day Lembongan people will start earlier than Galungan,  at 4AM in the morning offerings and ceremonies will begin.  This is because on Kuningan day the Gods only come to the temple for half day so they need to start early. On Kuningan day families only visit a few temples for the ceremony not all temples like on Galungan. In the afternoon Lembongan people will gather at the main temple for a Barong dance.

Same with Umanis Galungan, the day after Kuningan day everyone returns to their family house to clean and tidy up everything used for the recent ceremonies.

30 days after Galungan , the penjors are taken down and burnt along with the offerings that were used to decorate these bamboo structures.  The ash is gathered in respect to the gods and spread in the house garden.