The observance was expected to cleanse their bodies and souls  so that they emerged as new and better people.

Hindu Priest Pandita Mpu Jaya Prema Ananda warned Balinese people to go back to their “roots” by learning and understanding the meaning of Brata Penyepian.

“Many people viewed Nyepi as an escape from the hustle and bustle of their  lives by staying
at home, consuming food and drinks and even by gambling,” the priest said.

Brata Penyepian consists of four prohibitions-amati geni (turning off lights and fires); amati karya (not working); amati lelungaan and amati lelanguan (not going out and not enjoying entertainment).

“The main objective of the ritual is self-control. Controlling ourselves  from greed, eliminating anger and lust,” the priest commented.

The priest said that Bali did not need  traditional security guards to ensure that people would follow the rules on these prohibitions.

“Control should come from inside their hearts and minds.”

This year’s Nyepi marked the Saka Hindu New Year 1932. Participants view it as the best time to evaluate their lives. By staying  away from work, they hope to be able think more clearly.

It is said to be a time to reshape their lives. It is believed Hindu people should avoid deeds that violate Dharma teachings, leave such ideas behind and replace past mistakes by living better lives.
Nyepi is regarded as the starting point for people who wants to improve their lives.

A day prior to Nyepi, Hindu believers created and destroyed ogoh-ogoh giant effigies as symbols of  butha kala, evil and darkness, in the hearts and minds of human.

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik welcomed Nyepi as a step toward  creating a stronger nation.
Hindu High Priest Ida Pedanda Made Gunung added that Hindu believers observed Nyepi as a spiritual  ascent.

Rituals prior to Nyepi reflected purification. Nyepi rituals were preceded by the Melasti procession to carry sacred ritual items to sources of water, that is the sea, rivers, springs and lakes.

“The procession symbolizes a cleansing process, to ward off negativity and to ask for Blessings,” the priest elaborated.

A day before Nyepi, Hindu people observed the Tawur Agung ritual as a symbol to balance human lives with nature and their Creator.

They  believe that “Nyepi Day is a reflection of a pure mind. It is  a new beginning.”[source]

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Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, head of Bali’s tourism board and owner of the Segara Village Hotel in Sanur, said on Sunday that the hotel was 70 percent full for Nyepi, the local name for the holy day. The observance begins at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and ends at the same time on Wednesday.

He said the majority of guests were Europeans, although he noted that occupancy rates were still below high season.

“Most of the tourists who come are those who have never been to Bali, or those who have been here before but never visited during Nyepi,” he said, adding that Nyepi packages offered by the hotels could be one of the factors that attracted tourists.

During observance of Nyepi, which demands no artificial light, no activity, no traveling and no entertainment, tourists are advised not to leave their accommodations.

Tasya Aluia, spokeswoman for the Holiday Inn Kuta, said it had promoted Nyepi packages in advance and was at 60 percent occupancy for its 195 rooms.

Dutch tourist Frans van Dijk said he has been to Bali three times but never during Nyepi.

“We want to see for ourselves how Bali can become so quiet,” said van Dijk, who traveled to the island with his wife and was staying in Sanur.

Meanwhile, large numbers of non-Balinese residents and workers opted to leave the island by ferries to Java.

“The number of passengers has been increasing since Saturday and we have anticipated it by providing 127 ferries,” said the Gilimanuk port’s operations manager, Ospar Silaban.

On the island, the Balinese are preparing a range of activities to welcome the holiday, which also marks the Saka New Year 1932 on the Hindu calendar.

On Monday, thousands will flock to Puputan Square in Denpasar to be sprinkled with holy water in the cleansing ritual of Tawur Agung Kesanga. That evening, cities across the island will host Ngrupuk parades, in which huge, demonic figures known as ogoh ogoh are meant to bewilder evil spirits.

During the holy day, all access to Bali, except in case of emergency, will be closed for 24 hours including seaports and airports.[source]

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The concept of stability implied in this term, has long been at the heart of Balinese philosophy and daily practice, representing the delicate balance between the physical and spiritual worlds.

With the Hindu Saka New Year falling on March 16, it seems an appropriate moment to reflect upon the implications of Tri Hita Karana, not only in the context of Bali but also in relation to worldwide efforts to curb global warming, reduce poverty, improve education and provide health care for  all.

When we think about the word “harmony”, we may think of peacefulness and self control. These values are the essence of Nyepi, when families in Bali fast in silence, do without light and forego entertainment, seeking to restore the energy of the earth that has been used up over the previous year and to nurture harmony within families and the wider community.

Philosophy is often considered an abstract and esoteric subject. But the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana has a very clear and practical application, with human beings seen as “doers” — the ones who must carry out development. In the context of Indonesia’s current efforts to improve and develop its tourism industry, this aspect of harmony suggests that tourism here must be community based.

When fishing with bombs for short-term benefits is replaced by reef rehabilitation, for example, fish are attracted as well as eco-tourists who provide communities with new and sustainable sources of income.

Tri Hita Karana is based upon the virtues of responsibility, sensitivity and thankfulness and we find the very same tenets within the concept of environmental conservation. With regard to tourism this means that not only those who provide services, but also the tourists themselves, need to show respect for the communities and places they visit.

Balinese philosophical trilogies such as Tri Hita Karana, and Desa Kala Patra (which seeks harmony between time, place and condition) seem to embody the struggle for integration and the need to balance key aspects of life such as the economy and environment, agriculture and tourism and the varied resource bases of Indonesia’s richly diverse provinces.

Indonesia with its thousands of islands offers many prospects for coastal development. Coasts can be used for many different purposes and various individuals or groups may perceive the coasts with different needs and different ways of satisfying those needs. Local residents may see a beach as a place to fish or harvest seaweed, to participate in religious rites or to sell souvenirs to tourists, developers may see them as places to build hotels and tourists see beaches as places to relax.

In Bali, many of the beaches have become dominated by tourist activities while traditional Balinese activities have been displaced. In such cases, serious attention needs to be given to identifying complementary and competitive activities at specific coastal sites. Cultural tourism implies that tourists should interact with residents in a culturally appropriate manner and every effort must be made to ensure that traditional uses are not disadvantaged by tourism.

Ideally, tourism development would contribute to the Indonesian development goals of growth, stability and equity. Growth is needed to raise living standards and to contribute to an enhanced quality of life. However such growth should not occur at all costs but must be in harmony with culture and the environment. Tourism can and must provide opportunities for local involvement and the way to develop a balance of inter-linked interests.

For sustainable development, systematic planning is vital, followed up by action. Various instances of Bali’s coastal management show that balance has not been achieved between environmental, cultural and economic aspects. Thus it is surely the time to be active rather than passive and to revisit and implement Tri Hita Karana in a very real way.

Like other Balinese children, I learned from an early age that being at one with God, Nature and fellow human beings opens the way to a meaningful life. The intricate daily offerings of flower petals in tiny leaf baskets, so long a part of my life, are about giving thanks and praising mother nature.

May the prayers of this Saka New Year help to put mankind at one with Nature, to bring peace to our nation and peace to the world. [source]

Writer: Putu Geniki L. Natih

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The signatures would be submitted to the United Nations on March 21. Since 2007, the group has collected 5,849 signatures. Last weekend, they added another 300 signatures.

The collaboration brings together students from Muhammadiyah University in Malang (East Java), Udayana University in Bali, STIKOM Bali and members of Friends of the Earth (Walhi).

Yoga, one of the volunteers, said most people do not know about world silence day. “But, that does not deter us from continuing our efforts,” Yoga said.

“This action can save energy and reduce pollution levels,” he said.

Balinese Hindus will this year celebrate Nyepi on March 16. Bali will be closed to any visitors. The island will be dark and silent for 24 hours for people to observe the annual day of silence.

“On March 21, we only ask people to stop using energy for four hours,” Yoga explained.

Siska Kusuma Dewi said that the world silence day campaign is global and not directly affiliated with the Hindu celebration.

On March 20, the group has planned a series of activities to raise people’s awareness on the importance of reducing pollution levels.

The world silence day campaign has attracted attention from global youth organizations including the Asia Pacific Youth Network on Climate Change in Nepal, Pakistan and other countries.

“We want to show to the world that young people in Bali are active in preserving and protecting Earth. We care about the Earth’s future. We can all do small things to save our planet,” she said.[source]

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“Some schools even employ teachers of other subjects to teach Hindu studies,” he said.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika expressed concern over the shortage of Hindu teachers. “I have already coordinated with the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Bali Education Agency to find a solution,” he said. “Given that the majority of Balinese are Hindu, I am concerned by the shortage of teachers we now face, especially for Hindu studies,” Pastika said. Regulations stipulate that the recruitment of religious teachers be implemented through three ministries including the Religious Affairs Ministry and National Education Ministry.

Education agency head Wayan Suasta said he expected Bali would recruit additional religious teachers.

“The recruitment of civil servants is controlled by the provincial administration, whereas the recruitment of religious teachers is handled by the religious affairs office,” he said.[source]

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Dea community , said the Chairman of Union of Indigenous Dayak (Permada) Balangan, great respect for ancestors. Therefore, all who passed, especially the very culture they hold determined to be maintained.

Buntang Mamali aims lifted the spirits of the deceased from the grave to the full of the spirit became a symbol of perfection and devotion, respect, and family responsibilities and citizens of the deceased.

“Yes, kind of made the final resting home or very good for the spirits of the ancestors,” explained.

The ritual is actually recognized to be part of Hindu Kaharingan religious some Dayak tribe. However, those who embrace other religions also still running it. [source]

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This celebration is one of the holy day that greeted Hindus in the world to honor the god Murugan, or god Subramaniam. Therefore it is inappropriate used for the benefit of a group of people to achieve the desire of politics.

This was conveyed by the Chairman of DPP Association Youth Hindu (Peradah) North Sumatra, K Indra Gunawan ST to Analisa newspaper, Friday (22 / 1). Emphasized Indra Gunawan, if there are those who will go the election came to the largest temple of pride the people of North Sumatra. It will not be questioned young Hindus. As long as no carry-political interests.

“The young Hindus will protest loudly if something like that to happen”, he said. Indra who was called Kuna accompanied Benrasyid Wiria, Selwa Kumar, King Anan and the board that other concern, if the celebration of Hindu littered with political interests, can divide the unity that had been well maintained.

Moreover, he said, youth Hindu especially today felt very disappointed, having previously been providing support to the prospective head region. But once elected, no communication and attention again.

Introspection

Therefore, the Hindus expected can introspect themselves to more major progress than prefers self-interest and faction. On that occasion, Kuna also expected to little temples that implement Thaipusam, do not easily accept the team success or prospective from head region. Because it would lead to support.

“This condition is feared will make Hindus could fragmented and disrupt the unity and integrity”, he said. Then asked the team successful candidate regional head for not making a religious ritual of Hindu as a tool in their interests, despite their emotional closeness and personal with some of the characters.

According to Kuna, the celebration of religion should not be used as a tool to seek votes to get elected as the region and others. “If they want to perform, then show the high sportsmanship, so that people can be more wise and objective in determining the best option”, he explained. [source]

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When the teams met SCTV, Saturday (16 / 1), Chairman of the Working Group Yogyakarta Goon BP3 Maintenance Panca Putra said the system work fairly good statues. Sculpture very smooth so that the flow of Ganesha’s hair really looks. Even the ornament of suluran also clearly visible shape.

Besides having unique statue of Ganesh, the Linga-Yoni in one room, at the entrance to the main building there is the ornament of human relief next there is a lotus flower. Besides the physical temple has walls with a very simple profile with a lack of so many ornaments. [source]

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Although has not yet known the exact cause, but he suspected that the condition of old bridges. “It could also be due to the condition that the bridge above the sea water. It’s needed to quality care and a good building, “said Andi Achmad, Vice Chairman of Commission D DPRD Malang Regency, Friday (15 / 1).

Chairman of the Golkar Party faction is very sorry this condition because of Pura Balekambang in Malang Regency as Tanah Lot owned by the island of Bali. “Especially in March 2009 there’ll be Nyepi celebrations. The location of the temple is usually used for Hindu religious activities, “said Andi.
Secretary of Commission D Unggul Nugroho asking bridge repaired immediately. “Because of the tourist objects are managed by PD Jasa Yasa, and Beach Balekambang is best earnings,” said council member of Gerindra Party. [source]

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He said one of the Hindu holy day is meaningful for introspection through “Jagra” or not doing anything to eat or drink for 36 hours.

In addition to not eating and drinking, for two days and one night the people do not sleep and do not speak.

Yudi Arnawa explained, a series of ritual activities involving 36 Sulinggih (priest) delegates from eight districts and one city in Bali.

During the implementation of the Siwaratri day, Hindus will carry three times prayers in the courtyard Pura Besakih, Karangasem District, 90 km east of Denpasar.

The first prayers led by the priests took place on Thursday (14 / 1) at 19.00 Wita, at 00.00 Wita second and third prayers Friday (15 / 1) at 05.00 Wita.

Siwaratri Day falls every 420 days, which coincided with the 14th day of the seventh full calendar month Bali (dark obedient seventh month / 14 Sasih panglong ping kepitu).

Balinese Hindus have an understanding and belief that Siwaratri day contains a very deep meaning in the hunt for good or dharma.

Chairman of the Tourism Guide Study Program at State Institute of Hindu Dharma (IHDN) Denpasar, I Ketut Sumadi Drs M. Par on separate occasions hoping, through the celebration of Hindu Siwaratri can introspection themselves, seeking the cause and solution of various problems faced by applying the concept of “Karma Marga”, which is full of hard work and innovation.

Self-actualization in the conduct of spiritual ascent that can control themselves and live frugally to meet the desires of everyday life.

“If a desire can not be controlled, then life becomes wasteful. That’s because people are not chasing the main needs in life, “said Ketut Sumadi.

Siwaratri Day celebrations generally take place in every temple in each traditional village in Bali.

Activities and meaningful rituals to please the safety of the Almighty God, Ida Sanghyang Widhi Wasa, state and nation that Indonesia is able to overcome the global crisis and to avoid natural disasters and things that other unsolicited.

Another thing that is not less important means to provide knowledge to the mankind to realize that in him there is always a “battle” between the Dewi Sampad (good character) with Asuri Sampad (bad character).

Therefore, your best behavior and human actions must have committed the sin (mistake) in his life. Similarly, bad man must have done a good (right).

Aware of it, through the celebration Siwaratri intended to provide motivation to each of Hindus, in order to realize the maximum and try to avoid sin and to multiply acts of dharma (good), expect Ketut Sumadi. [source]

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