The meaning of Nyepi Day in Bali and what not to do

Nyepi Day,which falls on the Saka New Year,is one of the holiest days in Bali. Nyepi comes from the word “sepi” which means rest,and this day is marked by silence and tranquility. Nyepi is celebrated to mark the change of year in the Saka calendar and has deep meaning in the spiritual life of Balinese Hindus. The main meaning of Nyepi Day is introspection and spiritual reflection. For 24 hours there was silence and peace throughout the island of Bali. Daily activities,including work,travel and entertainment,have come to a complete halt. The purpose of this silence is to ward off evil spirits and restore the balance of nature and the human spirit. In this silence,Balinese Hindus are invited to reflect on their actions during the past year and improve themselves to be better in the new year. Preparations for Nyepi Day begin several days before with a series of ceremonies. One of them is Melasti,which is a purification ceremony usually performed on the beach to cleanse sacred objects...