Ayana Resort and Spa: Bali tourists join 'monster doll' parade before island shuts down for Nyepi (Indonesia)
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Ayana Resort and Spa: Bali tourists join 'monster doll' parade before island shuts down for Nyepi (Indonesia)
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Category: Asia Pacific - Indonesia -
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2010-03-22
HOTEL GUESTS JOIN ‘MONSTER DOLL’ PARADE AT AYANA AHEAD OF NYEPI DAY OF SILENCE
Guests of AYANA Resort and Spa Bali joined a lively parade to rouse the demons on 15 March, ahead of the annual Nyepi ‘Day of Silence’ when the island of Bali shut down for 24 hours of absolute silence.
AYANA's Balinese Hindu staff led the parade of an 'ogoh-ogoh' (giant papier-mache monster doll) on the eve of Balinese New Year which is known as 'Nyepi' (literally translated as ‘silent day’). The doll was created over many weeks with the help of in-house guests and their children, who plastered and painted it in the image of a demon, according to tradition.
Following a Hindu blessing ceremony, the parade was accompanied by a drumming band as it made its way through the resort, stopping at major 'cross-roads' to run the ogoh-ogoh around in circles to confuse demons. Lively parades such as this are held on Nyepi Eve every year across Bali to ‘wake-up’ the demons, before the 24-hour period of silence when the island 'plays dead' in a bid to trick demons into thinking it has been abandoned, so they will go and annoy the inhabitants of another island.
“Nyepi is an interesting time to be in Bali, because in the days leading up to it, guests have the opportunity to witness many unique aspects of Balinese culture,” said AYANA’s General Manager Charles de Foucault. “These include the ‘ogoh-ogoh’ parades, which are always festive and fun, and more sedate ceremonies that whole villages turn out for. It’s a true reflection of the rich culture that makes this island such an amazing destination; there is nowhere else in the world where you can experience the unique Balinese form of Hinduism.”
Nyepi is a day of introspection when everyone in Bali must stay inside their residence and keep quiet. All shops and businesses close, no vehicle or machinery is allowed to operate (which also means Bali airport closes down on this day each year), no fire or electricity may be used, and no work may be done.
For tourists, the rules are more relaxed, as long as you do not leave your hotel. AYANA minimizes use of lighting and power, halts its shuttle service, and asks guests not to wander around outside and not to leave the property. Otherwise guests are welcome to use the resort grounds and facilities as normal, while keeping noise to a minimum.
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