TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hindu New Year celebration or Nyepi Day in Bali has attracted world society`s attention over the years. Bali Island with the largest Hindu population in Indonesia will remain quiet from outdoor activities for 24 hours which known as a day of total silence.
The television and electricity networks are temporarily shutting down as to respect Hindus people on conducting a religious ritual of self-cleaning and fasting.
Public services such as airports and banking were also closed. So what people in Bali usually do during Nyepi?
I Gusti Raka Suartana, a resident of Bukian, Payangan, Bali stated that in a day of silence, generally, most Hindus integrated their self-quality. “The oldster usually performs mejejaitan,” he said when contacted by Tempo, Tuesday, March 13.
Mejejaitan is a productive activity of making canang or offerings for the Gods. While the fathers, Raka went on, usually read books.
Another Bali citizen, I Gusti Ayu Ratih Indriyani said during Nyepi, the young will hook off from their smartphone due to the disconnected internet network.
The migrants or incomer residents who do not celebrate Nyepi generally will help to maintain the holy day. Priyo from Yogyakarta, for example, lived in South Kuta, Bali.
He claimed to assist Bali traditional guard or Pecalang in the residential complex. Another activity he usually does is watching DVDs. "Before Nyepi, DVD rental in Bali is crowded," he said.
As for tourists, to enjoy experiencing Nyepi in Bali mostly stay at the hotel. But they do not literally stay in the room. Public Relation of Hotel Ibis Styles Pecatu Nana stated many hotels in Bali offer a variety of Nyepi special packages. "Such as special dinner," she said in Seminyak, Bali, last February.
Francisca Christy Rosana
