Bali's Hindus Mark New Year in Silence

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DENPASAR, Indonesia (AFP, March 19, 2007): Tourists abandoned the

beaches of Bali and the airport shut down Monday as the Indonesian

island's four million Hindus ushered in the New Year in traditional

silence.

 

On Nyepi, or the Day of Silence, Bali's Hindus refrain from work,

travel, making noise and any form of celebration. The silence and

lack of activity is believed to be a way to trick demons into

thinking there is nobody to haunt.

 

Some even choose not to eat for 24 hours, and the lighting of fires

is banned. Nyepi is a public holiday in Indonesia, the world's most

populous Muslim nation.

 

Bali's legion of tourists, who normally spent the day lounging on

the island's pristine beaches before heading to the nightclubs,

stayed in their hotel rooms to respect the occasion.

 

Hotels are among the few places allowed to maintain discreet evening

lighting during Nyepi. The rest of Bali falls into darkness as the

sun sets.

 

The only people on the island's normally bustling streets were the

Pecalang, a traditional police task force enforcing the Hindu rules

for the day.

 

Bali's international airport and main ferry ports were also closed

for Nyepi, which is observed until 6:00 am on Tuesday (2200 GMT

Monday).

 

Many Indian Hindus celebrate New Year in October or November during

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which is marked by noisy firework

displays and wild celebrations.

 

SOURCE: News. Bali's Hindus mark New Year in silence Mon Mar

19, 1:45 AM ET

URL:

http://news./s/afp/20070319/wl_asia_afp/indonesiareligionbal

i_070319054540

TINY URL: http://tinyurl.com/2eqbno