A day to remember at Ubud, BALI
Take the opportunity to find solitude and contemplation—both rare in our busy modern lives. I found this in a unique experience during my stay in Bali. In Balinese tradition, the New Year is welcomed in a special way. Hindu Balinese create sculptures representing negative forces, and to appease them, they organize a grand parade through the streets. This parade symbolizes the evils of human nature and negativity in the universe.
The following day, known as the Day of Silence (Nyepi), is observed to recreate spiritual essence. I was deeply impressed by this remarkable cultural tradition and gained a greater appreciation for the spread of Hinduism beyond India.
During my five-day stay on Bali Island, I encountered this beautiful tradition firsthand. When we landed at the airport and boarded a taxi, our driver mentioned the upcoming special day. At first, we felt both nervous and excited, especially since we had only a few days to explore the island. However, we decided to embrace the experience with respect.
Before the Day of Silence, we visited several places. Along the way to our hotel, we saw enormous, terrifying sculptures of demons being paraded through the streets. These ogre-like statues had unique appearances—some had big red eyes, sharp jaws, and long tongues sticking out from their monstrous mouths. They were truly frightening yet fascinating.
The public celebration was lively and full of energy, reflecting a tradition that has been observed since ancestral times. Due to the parade, we got stuck in traffic and decided to run to our hotel. As a result, we postponed our plans for the next few days.
That evening, we heard that an ogre parade would take place near our hotel, so we decided to join in. As the sun set peacefully behind the clouds, the villages of Bali came alive, preparing for the monster shows. Each village had crafted its own sculptures, and different groups of people proudly showcased their terrifying demons, playfully chasing each other. It was a friendly competition among villagers of all ages, each striving to create the scariest handmade sculpture.
We joined the parade to witness their celebration. There were two or three teams displaying their demon sculptures. The younger children’s presentations were simpler, so the older kids teased them, asserting their superiority. Fire and firecrackers were also part of the spectacle. As the parade moved along the narrow roads, the massive sculptures sometimes got entangled with electric wires, but volunteers from each team were there to guide them safely.
The atmosphere was further enhanced by eerie Balinese music played on bamboo sticks, drums, and metal instruments, creating a chilling aura that reminded me of Halloween.
However, amid the excitement, an accident occurred. Someone fell into a ditch on the roadside, which was about six to seven feet deep and covered with dense tropical bushes. Fortunately, the thick vegetation prevented him from falling too deep. Given that the area was a sloping mountain covered in dense rainforest, the incident was frightening. Luckily, the police and rescue team acted swiftly and saved his life.Experiencing Nyepi in Bali gave me a new perspective on cultural heritage, spirituality, and the power of reflection in an otherwise chaotic world.
Dr Binapani Pradhan
Phone no +60172537
