Today's Holy-day Art (THE SILENT DAY) for Hindu new year in Bali

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

Hindu devotees carry an effigy locally called "Ogoh-ogoh" a demonic representation,
ahead of the Silent Day in Bali. Picture: CLARA PRIMA/AFP/Getty Images

The Silent Day is a religious celebration of the Hindu faith. Due to the wide diversity in the beliefs, practices and traditions encompassed by Hinduism, there appears not to be one universally accepted definition on who a Hindu is, or even agreement on whether the term Hinduism represents a religious, cultural or socio-political entity. The Silent Day (New Year) marked here is Hindu practice in Bali.

• Significance: Nyepi primarily aims to purify human nature, and also of the universe.
• Observances:  It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation
• Length: Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning,
• Date: Nyepi/Silent Day in 2012 will be on March 23rd
• Customs:  Some common rituals performed include making offerings for Buta Kala, so he would not disturb people (called Mecaru ceremony), parading around the ogoh-ogoh (see above), that is a kind of sculpture which is burned (called Pengrupukan ceremony). There is also a ritual that wash away all the dirt into the sea as a symbol of purification (called Melasti ceremony), and the last after D-day there are events and mutual visits between relatives and and ask for forgiveness. This is all done so that Hindus have an inner readiness to undergo the new year.
• Symbol: Buta Kala (the symbol of evil) is usually made grim-faced and ugly.