Published

2 years ago

March 11, 2024

Alice Rush

A Day of Profound Peace: Experiencing Hari Raya Nyepi in Bali

Nestled amongst the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Bali lies a unique and powerful tradition known as Hari Raya Nyepi, also referred to as the Day of Silence.

This annual event transcends a typical holiday; it’s a profound experience that offers a glimpse into the spiritual core of Balinese Hinduism.

A Day of Introspection and Purification

Occurring on the Day of Silence (Nyepi) which falls on the new moon in the Saka calendar (usually in March or April), Nyepi signifies a 24-hour period of complete silence, fasting, and meditation. During this time, the entire island transforms into a place of serenity. The streets are deserted, shops are closed, and no motorized vehicles are allowed. Even airplane traffic is restricted.

The Journey to Nyepi

The days leading up to Nyepi are filled with vibrant energy. Peninggalan, a noisy parade featuring monstrous ogoh-ogoh figures representing evil spirits, takes place the night before. The cacophony serves to symbolically cleanse the island before the silent introspection of Nyepi.

Melasti: Cleansing for Renewal

Melasti, a purification ceremony, precedes Nyepi. Hindus flock to sacred beaches and temples to cleanse themselves and their belongings with holy water. The atmosphere is one of devotion and preparation for the introspective silence to come.

Nyepi: A Day of Inner Peace

On Nyepi itself, an air of profound peace descends upon Bali. The silence is not merely an absence of sound, but a palpable presence that fosters reflection and inner exploration. Hindus spend the day meditating, praying, and seeking forgiveness. Families may gather for quiet prayer sessions, while some individuals choose to retreat in solitude.

The End of Silence: Ngerupuk

The day after Nyepi, the island awakens with a joyous celebration called Ngerupuk. Villagers parade through the streets, armed with noisemakers and palm fronds, to chase away any lingering evil spirits. The celebratory atmosphere marks a return to normalcy, yet carries a renewed sense of peace and purification.

Experiencing Nyepi as a Visitor

While some aspects of Nyepi are restricted to practicing Hindus, visitors are welcome to experience the unique atmosphere of the Day of Silence. Respectful behavior is essential. Accommodation may be limited during this period, so booking in advance is crucial. Tourists are expected to stay indoors and refrain from any activities that might disturb the silence.

A Time for Reflection

Nyepi offers a unique opportunity to disconnect from the constant buzz of modern life and reconnect with oneself and the natural world. Whether you’re a spiritual seeker or simply curious about Balinese culture, witnessing Nyepi can be a profoundly transformative experience.

Guide for Hari Raya Nyepi in Bali

Hari Raya Nyepi, also known as the “Day of Silence,” is a unique and sacred Balinese Hindu celebration that marks the beginning of their New Year. It’s a day for introspection, meditation, and cleansing the island of negativity from the previous year.

Here’s a guide for experiencing Hari Raya Nyepi in Bali:

What to Expect:

Date: Nyepi falls on a different date each year based on the Balinese Saka calendar. In 2024, it will be observed on Monday, March 11th, starting at 6:00 AM and ending 24 hours later on Tuesday, March 12th, at 6:00 AM.
Silence: The island observes complete silence during Nyepi. No lights, no noise, no work, and no travel are allowed. This includes no cars, motorbikes, or even walking on the streets. The airport is closed, and most shops and restaurants are shut down.
Preparations: The day before Nyepi, there’s a lively parade with giant demon-like effigies called ogoh-ogoh, which symbolizes driving away evil spirits.

Experiencing Nyepi:

Respect the Tradition: If you’re visiting Bali during Nyepi, it’s crucial to respect the local traditions. Stay indoors, turn off lights and electronic devices, and avoid making any noise.
Accommodation: Book your accommodation well in advance, as many places get fully booked during this period. Most hotels will have activities planned for guests indoors, like meditation sessions or cultural performances.
Introspection: Use this time to relax, reflect, and unwind. Read a book, meditate, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of the island.

The Day After Nyepi:

The day after Nyepi is a festive occasion called “Nypean.” People gather for social gatherings, make offerings, and visit temples. In some villages, you might even witness the unique “Mekepung” tradition, where young people chase each other with mud.

Tips:

Pack light clothes and a book or two to keep yourself entertained indoors.
Bring some snacks and drinks as most shops and restaurants will be closed.
If you’re unsure about anything, ask your hotel staff for guidance.

Respecting the Culture:

Nyepi is a sacred religious ceremony for the Balinese people. It’s important to be respectful of their traditions and avoid any behavior that could be seen as disrespectful.

By following these guidelines, you can experience the unique atmosphere of Hari Raya Nyepi in Bali and gain a deeper appreciation for Balinese culture.

https://www.exaputra.com/2024/03/a-day-of-profound-peace-experiencing.html

Related Topics:cultural tradition Harmony reflection

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Alice Rush

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Terra-GEN, Nordex & Siemens Gamesa Improve

Published

11 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Alice Rush

Weather Guard Lightning Tech

Terra-GEN, Nordex & Siemens Gamesa Improve

Terra-Gen’s 238.5 MW project in Texas is now fully operational and the Philippines just awarded approvals for more than 10 GWs of renewables. Plus Nordex and Siemens Gamesa are optimistic about their future.

Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us!

There’s news from the wind industry this week. And for once… the headlines tell a story of growth. Down in Hidalgo County, Texas… something worth celebrating happened this week. Terra-GEN commissioned the Monte Cristo ONE Windpower Project. Two hundred thirty-eight-point-five megawatts. Fully operational. The wind facility will generate more than 850 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity every year. Enough to power roughly 81,000 homes. And the power? Already sold. Long-term purchase agreements with two corporate customers. Construction created about 280 jobs at peak activity. More than 490,000 work hours. Not one lost-time incident. They upgraded 11 miles of state roads. Twenty-five miles of county roads. Over its lifetime… the project will deliver more than 100 million dollars to the local community. Property taxes. Landowner payments. Other economic contributions. “It is an honor,” said John O’Connor, Chief Financial Officer for Terra-GEN, “to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the hundreds of men and women who made the commissioning of the Monte Cristo wind project possible.” Meanwhile… halfway around the world in the Philippines… the government just awarded approvals for more than 10 gigawatts of renewable power. That’s ten-point-two gigawatts, to be exact. One hundred twenty-three winning bidders. Solar. Storage. And wind. Onshore wind alone claimed two-point-five gigawatts of that capacity. Twenty-one projects. All set to deliver power by 2029. The Philippines is targeting 50 percent renewable generation by 2040. And they’re not waiting around. The “overwhelming response,” said the department of energy, “reflects the growing confidence of investors.” Back in Europe… in Germany… Nordex is making moves. The turbine manufacturer just secured orders for 123 megawatts from Denkerwulf. Twenty-five onshore wind turbines. Installation begins in 2027. Commissioning in 2028. And Nordex shares? They’re climbing. Hit a multi-year high this week. Trading at 28 euros and 2 cents. Denkerwulf’S orders for Nordex in 2025 now total nearly 144 megawatts. And last week… Mingyang signed a contract with ORE Catapult… a state-owned British test center. They’re going to test main bearings for Mingyangs offshore 18.5MW turbines in the United Kingdom. “A major milestone,” said Mingyang’S chief technology officer for Europe, Marc Sala. “A decisive breakthrough for our local operations.” Mingyang has big plans for Britain. One-point-five billion pounds in investments. Half for factories. Half for the offshore wind supply chain. Now… over at Siemens Gamesa… things are looking up. The wind business has been struggling. Over four fiscal years… losses totaled eight-point-six billion euros. But Chief Executive Officer Christian Bruch confirmed this week… they’re still targeting profitability by 2027. Break-even by 2026. Revenue for full-year 2025 rose 5 percent to ten-point-three-seven-five billion euros. Losses improved slightly. “The journey towards profitability is going to take time,” said Chief Financial Officer Maria Ferraro. “But I think the team is doing a great job.” They expect a positive fourth quarter in 2026. So there you have it. The wind industry is pushing forward. Two hundred thirty-eight-point-five megawatts commissioned in Texas. One hundred twenty-three projects approved in the Philippines. One hundred twenty-three megawatts ordered in Germany. Eighteen-point-five megawatt turbines heading to Britain for testing. And Siemens Gamesa … now seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The numbers tell the story. Things are beginning to stabilize – and there’s hope for the future. That’s the state of the wind industry on the 17th of November 2025. Join us tomorrow for the Uptime Wind Energy podcast.

https://weatherguardwind.com/terragen-nordex-siemens/

Renewable Energy

Has the Fever Broken?

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Alice Rush

Many Americans are starting to feel like the lady whose observations we see at left.

Exactly how this moves forward from here is anyone’s guess. Maybe the Democrats gain a huge majority in Congress in 2026 and then impeach and convict Trump–perhaps joined by lots of Republicans.

There are plenty of different scenarios.

Has the Fever Broken?

Renewable Energy

Trump and Climate Change

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Alice Rush

As shown in this short video, Donald Trump says that climate change is the biggest con job ever perpetrated on Earth.

We are to believe that Trump a) understands the subject better than the thousands of our planet’s top scientists, located in countries all around the globe, and b) he’s telling the truth, where they have somehow gotten together and conspired to lie.

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