On March 29th, 2025, Bali will enter a period of complete silence to honor Nyepi, the Balinese New Year according to the SAKA calendar. For 24 hours, the island embraces silence and stillness—no fire, no travel (Ngurah Rai International Airport will be closed for 24 hours from 6 AM on March 29 to 30), no work, and no entertainment—creating an unparalleled opportunity for introspection, spiritual reflection, and personal rejuvenation. This Day of Silence transforms Bali into a sanctuary of peace, allowing guests to experience a deeper connection to the island’s essence.
Taking place from March 28 to 30, 2025, the Sacred Silence of Bali, a Nyepi Experience at AYANA Bali invites guests to embrace peace, reflection, and renewal in a serene and luxurious setting. As the island prepares for Nyepi, AYANA Bali celebrates Pengerupukan Day on March 28, 2025, with an exciting Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, where guests can watch the procession of large effigies representing the battle between good and evil. This year’s Ogoh-Ogoh will include two larger-than-life Ogoh-Ogoh: Angkeran Durmata, symbolizing greed and arrogance, and Basuki Amogasidi, representing wisdom and balance. In addition, families with children can take part in a kids’ Ogoh-Ogoh activity, where they will decorate mini-effigies and participate in a fun parade.
On the sacred day of Nyepi on March 29, 2025, guests at AYANA Bali will experience a day of complete silence, broken only by activities that help center the mind and spirit. At AYANA Bali, guests can experience profound stillness through various activities designed to help them connect with their inner selves. The Healing Meditation session offers a serene space for reflection, while stargazing provides an opportunity to embrace the beauty of the night sky, undisturbed by light pollution. Guests can also enjoy a screening of the short animated film “Tirta”, which highlights Bali’s environmental awareness and the spiritual importance of water. During the day, Guided Walks through AYANA Farm will give guests the chance to connect with the natural surroundings, offering a peaceful way to appreciate Bali’s lush landscapes.
The final day of the Nyepi celebration, Ngembak Geni on March 30, 2025, marks the end of the period of reflection and a time for reunion, renewal, and joyous celebration. At AYANA Bali, guests can join in a Lamak Wish Ceremony, where they write down their hopes and wishes for the year on decorative Lamak mats, which will then be ceremoniously offered during a group ceremony. Families can also participate in the Balinese Dress-Up and Dance activity, and have the chance to don traditional Balinese attire and join in a fun dance lesson, embracing the festive energy of Ngembak Geni.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of Bali’s spiritual traditions, The SAKA Museum—AYANA Bali’s cultural gem and the center of this year’s Nyepi celebration—hosts special events to enrich guests’ knowledge. One day before Nyepi, a special guided tour led by Dr. Judith E. Bosnak, the museum director, offers visitors insight into the sacred Balinese concept of Akasa and its vital role in the island’s spiritual life. Akasa encompasses meanings such as ‘stillness,’ ‘space,’ and ’emptiness,’ reflecting the contemplative and introspective essence of the Nyepi Day celebrations.
After the silent day, guests are also invited to engage in insightful conversations about Bali’s past and present with Marlowe Bandem, an advisor at SAKA Museum. This will be followed by the ascension of hopes and aspirations on the specially designed decorative Lamak mentioned above.
“Nyepi offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from the noise of daily life and focus on inner peace and reflection. At AYANA Bali, we invite guests from all over the world to experience this sacred day while also embracing the beauty of our culture and heritage. We are honored to share Bali’s timeless rituals with visitors seeking to connect with both the island’s spirit and themselves,” said Marlowe Bandem.
As part of this once-a-year cultural festivities, SAKA Museum is delighted to host and introduce a series of exciting and engaging new exhibitions in March 2025. These exhibitions further reinforce its commitment to enriching and showcasing Bali’s rich heritage, including Kasanga: Nyepi Exhibition, Subak: The Ancient Order of Bali, Heritage Gallery: The Five Elements (Panca Maha Bhuta), and an immersive multimedia experience at the SAKA Dome.
