Nyepi is the most important spiritual calendar for Balinese Hindus, both of which reside on the island of Bali, as well as those outside the island. This year (2012) Nyepi already, hold on last Friday, March 23. Nyepi is a closed year sacred ceremony, a celebration of contemplation, spiritual journey into the self that becomes the obligation of every Balinese Hindus.
Twenty-four hours a day they do a full fasting, not doing any activity, turn off lights, shut down all physical passion. This ritual is taking place just a day before the turn of the year Saka, a Hindu calendar this year to enter the year of 1934. The essence of worship is contemplation to prepare for every challenge in the new round on the next year, which will be coming immediately.
Series of Ritual
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| Ogoh-ogoh Parade, a day before Nyepi |
The series of ritual started with Melasti, a purification procession to the ocean, lake or springs. In this ritual, Balinese Hindus escorted their temple's effigies and sacred objects to the nearest large body of water. The Balinese as having the supernatural quality of cleansing any spiritual defilement have long considered water, the physical manifestation of Lord Wisnu the Sustainer. However, the main order of Melasti is to purify their bodies and souls in the presence of their revered deities. According to Balinese Hindus it is a very powerful spiritual cleansing, because our existence, both physical and mental, is bathed with the combined power of the spiritual beings of the land, sea and air. The first act in the dramatic play is then one of self-purification, the cleansing of one's own soul and body.
Tawur Agung is the second act held at noon on the day before Nyepi. The ritual is held at every public square and major traffic intersection on the island. Through the ritual, Balinese Hindus aim to pacify the restless forces of nature, such as wind, fire, earth and water. These restless forces are traditionally known as Buta Kala, a term that is often translated as "evil spirit".
During our existence, we continually take things from nature ... we disrupt its balance. Tawur Agung is the ritual during which we give something back to nature to restore the balance. The second act, therefore, is a declaration of gratitude to nature; an acknowledgement that the survival of our existence depends on the continuation of the natural equilibrium.
The third ritual of the whole Nyepi ritual is Pengerupukan, this ritual is the most interesting ritual to the public. Actually, this ceremony is a symbol of chaos where chaos is always an act of Buta Kala (spirit of evil). At the end of the ritual, the spirit of evil finally can be defeated by the power of truth.
This ritual is very interesting because it will be preceded by a parade of the Balinese people who show creativity in describing the form of Buta Kala, this parade called Ogoh-ogoh Parade, where hundreds of forms of Buta Kala paraded around on the streets with all forms of Balinese artistic attractions. At the end of Ngerupuk (Pangerupukan), the Ogoh-ogoh are taken to the village's (Banjar) intersection and burned to the ground. Essentially, it is an act of purifying the world around and the final battle between man (the power of truth) and the various characters and emotional flaws that haunt his existence -- the demon within his body and soul.
Pangerupukan ritual is the second most important ritual after the Nyepi itself, this bring a message that person must always to keep purification of the universe and to fight against our own demons (evil spirit).
Balinese Hindus believe that only after purifying their own souls and bodies; after respectfully acknowledging and paying their debts to nature and other creatures; after cleansing the world around them; and after emerging victoriously from the battle against the demons within; then they have been possible to catch what is Sunia truly mean, and was fully prepared to meet tomorrow's Nyepi, the Day of Silence, the main event of self purification.
In addition, they hope, at the first day of the New Year they will find a brand new human, a person who will be the winner of every challenges.
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