Hinduism religion

Balinese wear the most beautiful traditional clothes during religious ceremonies or to attend a wedding for example. Balinese women would look almost like princesses in their brightly colored outfits. For the men's an aura of serenity emerges from them. Behind these colors, there’s a signification.

For women, hair is important. In order to look like the beautiful Drupadi Princess, the bun is the favorite hairstyle of the Balinese. According to tradition, all women must carefully tie their hair, for those with short hair locks of hair are added. They must tie their hair so that they don’t fall into the area of ​​the temples and preserve the sacral temple. For special events, such as a wedding, their tooth filing, a lot of golden metal flowers are stitched into their hair.

Before women were dressed in a long piece of cloth, more than three meters, around their chest, called sabuk. Nowadays, the Balinese wear the kebaya, beautiful long-sleeved shirts, colorful lace and transparent, and below the corsets. With fashion, the shirts become shorter and now reaches the elbow. Around the waist, they wear a sarong, a piece of cloth carried to the ankles, and finally the selendang, the belt is tied to it.

Always well assorted, the whole is very colorful!
The traditional men's outfit consists of a white shirt and a kamben around the waist and covered with another slightly shorter fabric of another color called the saput. The traditional belt is put on the shirt. The Balinese carry the turban on their head, this one is a udang with two petals symbolizing good and evil.

Originally, the kebaya must be of the color of purity and glory, white symbolize purity and yellow triumph. It’s only during cremation that the Balinese women wear dark colors. However, exceptions are made according to castes.

Today, the Balinese follow more fashion, luxury, and this is felt according to social status.

Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence, is one of the most unique and spiritually significant celebrations in Indonesia. Marking the Balinese New Year according to the Saka lunar calendar, Nyepi is not just a religious event but a profound day of reflection, purification, and renewal. In 2025, Nyepi will take place on Saturday, March 29, bringing the entire island to a standstill for 24 hours.

For visitors, experiencing Nyepi is both fascinating and transformative—a chance to witness deep-rooted traditions, grand processions, and an unparalleled moment of tranquility under a starlit sky.

Understanding Nyepi

Nyepi is rooted in Balinese Hinduism, observed on the first day of the Saka lunar calendar. Unlike typical New Year celebrations, Nyepi is characterized by silence and inactivity. The day is guided by four main restrictions:

1. Amati Geni: No fire or light, including electricity.

2. Amati Karya: No work or physical activity.

3. Amati Lelunganan: No travel; streets are empty, and the airport is closed.

4. Amati Lelanguan: No entertainment or pleasurable activities.

The Pre-Nyepi Ceremonies: A Journey of Purification

Before the island falls into silence, Bali is alive with rituals and ceremonies designed to cleanse both the physical and spiritual realms.

Melasti: The Purification Ceremony

Typically held three days before Nyepi, the Melasti Ceremony is a significant purification ritual. On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Balinese communities will gather and proceed to the sea, carrying sacred objects from their temples. This procession symbolizes the cleansing of both the universe (Bhuana Agung) and the human soul (Bhuana Alit) from impurities. ​

Pengerupukan & the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade

On the eve of Nyepi (March 28, 2025), the Pengerupukan ritual takes place, marking the most vibrant and visually stunning part of the celebration.

Mecaru: Restoring Harmony with Nature

Before sunset, Balinese families perform Mecaru, a ritual offering made to Bhuta Kala (malevolent spirits) to restore harmony between humans, nature, and the unseen world. By offering food, flowers, and symbolic items, locals acknowledge these spirits and seek their blessings for balance and protection.

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade: The Battle Between Good and Evil

As night falls, the Ogoh-Ogoh parade begins—one of Bali’s most anticipated cultural spectacles. Ogoh-Ogoh are massive, elaborately crafted papier-mâché effigies depicting fearsome demons and mythological beings. These figures represent negative energy and evil spirits, which the Balinese believe must be banished before the new year begins.

Accompanied by traditional gamelan music, chanting, and torches, these grotesque effigies are paraded through the streets in a theatrical display of noise and chaos. The ritual reaches its climax when the Ogoh-Ogoh are set ablaze, symbolizing the destruction of negative forces and the purification of the island.

Best Places to Experience the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade:

- Denpasar (Patung Catur Muka, Puputan Square) – The largest and most elaborate parade

- Ubud (Catus Pata, near Ubud Palace) – A cultural hub for artistic Ogoh-Ogoh displays

- Kuta & Legian (Jalan Legian, Ground Zero Memorial) – A mix of local and tourist energy

- Sanur – A more relaxed setting, ideal for families and visitors seeking a quieter experience

Nyepi Day: 24 Hours of Silence and Reflection

At 6:00 AM on March 29, the island embraces total silence. The streets are empty, the airport is closed, and even electricity use is minimized. It is a time for:

- Self-reflection and meditation

- Fasting and spiritual cleansing

- Reconnecting with nature and inner peace

Hotels and accommodations remain operational but adhere to strict guidelines, with limited services and dimmed lighting.

The Magic of Nyepi Night: A Celestial Spectacle

As the sun sets on Nyepi, the island descends into a rare and extraordinary darkness—free from artificial light pollution. This creates a breathtaking opportunity to witness one of the clearest night skies in the world.

With Bali’s usual glow from streetlights, traffic, and businesses completely extinguished, the sky becomes a mesmerizing canvas of stars. 

What Visitors Should Know: Do’s & Don’ts

✅ Do’s

✔ Stay inside your accommodation throughout the 24-hour silence period
✔ Plan ahead by stocking up on food, water, and essentials
✔ Respect the silence and avoid making loud noises or playing music
✔ Embrace the experience by engaging in meditation, reading, or stargazing

🚫 Don’ts

❌ Do not leave your hotel or villa—even for a walk
❌ Do not use bright lights or open windows where lights are visible from outside
❌ Do not engage in noisy activities—TVs and speakers should be kept at low volume
❌ Do not use mobile data or expect Wi-Fi—the Indonesian government may shut down internet services island-wide

Pecalang (traditional Balinese security officers) patrol the streets to ensure everyone, including tourists, respects the observance of Nyepi.

Ngembak Geni: The Day After Nyepi

After 24 hours of silence, Bali awakens to Ngembak Geni, the day of renewal. Families and communities come together, seeking forgiveness from one another and embracing the new year with a clean slate and renewed spirit.

The island returns to life, but the spiritual essence of Nyepi lingers—reminding both locals and visitors of the importance of balance, harmony, and mindfulness. 

Nyepi is more than just a cultural observance—it is a deep spiritual practice that invites stillness in a world of noise. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, embracing the silence of Nyepi is an unforgettable experience, offering a rare chance to disconnect and reflect in harmony with Bali’s sacred traditions.

Art is something really anchored in the Balinese lifestyle, so much anchored that it is becoming an activity which is present in their habits; not only limited for ceremonies but in every moment of their life. You can notice it when they are doing their daily offerings, it is an ephemeral piece of art made with all their willingness. No matter if it is destroyed by the end of the day, the most important is to create something nice with your faith.

They also create a sculpture in carved stone, especially volcanic stone which is suitable for a precise cut. Each temple, but also some houses and public buildings are designed with some sculptures which represent mythological divinities.

There is a lot of other arts frequently used by Balinese people:

The painting, with the traditional “kamasan”. Those paintings usually describe mythological stories and are decorating some palaces on the island.
The production of fabrics is essential which is an important part of the Balinese art, especially because ceremonies in temples expect people to wear a “sarong”. The sarong is a piece of fabric wrapped around the waist that men and women have to wear when they are going to the temple. It is a symbol of respect and it allows to hide legs, considered as “impure” in this religion.