one day nyepi celebration only - bali religious authority

Bali's leading religious authority has confirmed that this year Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence) will only be observed for one day. This announcement has nullified the rumors of Nyepi being celebrated for three days as the tradition of the modern times.

“In regards to Nyepi, we want to assert that there are no three-day celebrations, Nyepi is just one day. A three-day Nyepi has never been written in [any] lontar,” I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana, chairman of the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) in Bali, said yesterday.

Lontar are palm leaves used as pages in sacred Hindu text. 

Ngurah then referred to a circular that was issued in January, which made it clear that Nyepi will be a one day celebration. That circular allowed the celebration of the Holy day with proper limits and restrictions imposed to ensure the health standards due to corona virus. This includes limiting ceremonies to 50 people at the most, prohibiting the lighting of firecrackers, and mandatory strict adherence to health protocols. 

Ogoh Ogoh parade that usually follows on the eve of Nyepi has been cancelled this year as well. Ogoh Ogoh became a modern tradition since the last few decades among the Balinese youth as they 

compete to create the most magnificent models and parade them on the streets of Bali. However, religious authorities previously stressed that this is not a religious obligation. 

“If there is information that parading ogoh-ogoh is permitted, that is wrong, no need to pay attention. Because it will result in crowds, and there shouldn’t be any cluster from ceremonies, don’t let that happen,” Ngurah said.