Nyepi Day - Balinese New Year
Each year, between mid-March and mid-April, the people of Bali celebrate their traditional New Year knows of NYEPI. The day itselfs falls on the fierst New moon after mid-March preparations begin a month or so before the festival, with the construktions of large bamboo and papier mache demonic efigies called ogoh-ogohs by each village. These representations of evil spirits are paraded through the village, accompanied by a cacophony of gongs and cymbals, on the eve of Nyepi, called Tawur Agung Kesange, on reaching the main squre or intersection, the ogoh-ogohs are set on fire the noise, music and flames are supposed to chase away the demons for another year. Nyepi i self is a day of total silence, not work is done, no fires may be lit, and no one should be seen outside ( I am told there should be no lovemaking on this day as well )
Most of these rules even apply to tourist, so you need to be aware of this when planning your trip. On the day of Nepi the airport is closed, no taxi are allowed on the street and room bilnds should be closed. Most Hotel will allow you to frely use the hotel faclities, but you are asked not to leave the hotel grounds. Since a lot of the hotel workes are from java, they are allowed to work on this day while native Balinese get to practice their day of contemplation.
The next Nyepi probably falls on 27 March 2009. Tis is an intimated date, based on lunar cycles. It may be off by a day or two - or a mounth.