NYEPI DAY

On March 7th, 2008, Hindu's followers in Bali celebrate Nyepi. Day,The first day of the new year is, in Bali, called “ Nyepi”, which means quiet. No one is allowed to leave the compound; one does not work on that day; no fire is allowed and people may not smoke. People are supposed to spend them quietly at home and meditate. Food for that is cooked the night before. People sleep in the dark, day because no light is allowed. And before nyepi called "Pengerupukan" so all the Village in Bali make ogoh- ogoh.
The second day of the new year is called “ ngembak api” ; it means that people are allowed to make fire on this day, but people do not work yet. But now a days in this modern times people make fire and work on “ngembak api”.
Great religious activities take place from there days before “Nyepi”. In the evening three days before “Nyepi” all over south Bali people take all tools of a temple, all “Pratima”, seat of deities, and barong to the Pura Bale Agung where they spend the night. Early the next morning people carry all these holy tools, deities and Barongs to the beach for a cleansing bath. After this cleansing bath they are taken back to their Pura Bale Agung and stay there until the new moon.
On the “Tilem”, new moon, on squares of every county seat big purification ceremonies are held to purify the whole country. On every crossroads smaller sacrificial offerings are put to pacify the demonic forces. In early evening bands of young and old make round of the village with torches and everything they can make a noise with to scare away evil forces. Every compound is sprinkled with holy water to keep evil away. At the same time the holy tools of the temple, the deities and the Barongs are taken back to their respective temple. The next day all Bali is quiet called “Nyepi day”.