I have just got around to reading the Bali Dynasty news letter and thought that those people that are either at the Dynasty or looking for a hotel for the night/day would be interested in what they are doing for this occasion.
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Hari Raya Nyepi is the New Year for Balinese Hindus celebrating the Caka Year of 1928. On this very auspicious occasion, many ceremonies and rituals are held throughout the Island of Bali.
The most important preparations for the coming New Year is the Purification Ceremony, known locally as 'Melasti', held on Tuesday, 28th March. Offerings and holy objects such as statues and 'kris' line the path of the colourful procession leading to the beach for the ritual cleansing. Flowers fill the beach and prayers fill the air as pilgrims cleanse themselves in the sea. You can witness this ceremony with decorum, from a distance.
On Wednesday 29th March the climax of ritual activity is on the eve of Nyepi, the darkest night of the new moon. During these solemn, powerful hours, priests throughout Bali will perform a taur agung, praying and ritually sacrificing a variety of animals to appease the demons and honor the gods is an attempt to harmonize the conflicting universal powers of good and evil. Ogoh Ogoh parades are held throughout the Island with large mystical figures standing 2 metres or more high and made from bamboo, wood and other materials.
This year the Bali Dynasty will have its own Ogoh Ogoh which will be paraded through the hotel and guests will be offered pots and pans to rattle and clang as we proceed to the beach where we will then burn the Ogoh Ogoh which is part of the tradition and will chase any evil spirits from the Resort.
On Thursday, 30th March the first day of the Caka New Year, also known as Hari Raya Nyepi, is a Day of Complete Silence in Bali. The whole island will be void of people on the streets (since it is mandatory for everyone to stay indoors) or on the hotel premises. The whole island of Bali shall appear deserted and therefore it is believed that the evil spirits will pass over the island.
Finally on Friday 31st March the second day of the Caka New Year, also known as 'Ngembak Geni', is a Day for Hindu people to do 'Sima Krama/Dharma Santi', visiting and apologizing to one another. On this occasion, you may visit a market called 'PASAR MAJELANGU', which will be held along the Kuta Beach area. Please also be aware that, on this day, shops and restaurants will be open after 12.00 noon, but most of them might be closed.