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Atoxic Traveller |
e-mail Travel@atoxic.org,
for more details of Atoxic Eco Travel Ideas |
| if you are in south east
asia,
or planning a trip around MARCH 11 2005, then make sure you join us in Bali to
see the the Balinese 1927 new year celebrations
Nyepi is the day marking the first
day of the Balinese Saka calendar and is strictly observed island-wide
with a day of absolute silence and meditation, including the shut down for
a 36 hour period of the island's airport.
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| for weeks leading up to the eve
of the Balinese new year every banjar (village or parish) in the whole
island is dedicated to the task of creating a "Monster" (Ogoh-Ogoh).
These are paraded through the streets and then burned with great
ritual to cleanse the island of evil spirits
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The exact day that should be set aside for Nyepi observances is a topic of
lively debate on the island. Its exact date is dependent on which calendar
system is used to calculate the passage of time. Hindus in Indonesia
create their calendar based on one of four systems: either the movements
of the solar system, tracking the earth’s journey around the sun; the
movements on the lunar system, timing the rotation of the moon around the
earth; the 210-day rotation of the ancient wuku calendar comprised of 30
weeks of 7 days; or the prenatasamasa system tied to the movement of the
sun and the start of the seasons.
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| The biggest gathering is in the
centre of denpasar - we will take you to the top viewing spots as the sun sets and drive
until the crowds (1 million Plus !) stop us.
This year there were reputedly over 1000 Ogo-Ogoh in denpasar alone
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We will make sure you get back to your bungalow by midnight.
Some toxoids broke down the other year and got into deep trouble for not
being back in time !! Nyepi,
the real balinese new year day is a day of total quiet - no traffic, no
music, no work, even no sex ! Avoid tourist hotels, who continue serving
alcohol and carrying on as if nothing is happening outside, We can find
you a quiet
spot near a rice paddy to enjoy this truly unique and magic day of
meditation and reflection. |
