Raffles 1887
5 minutes with… Surya Ariawan, Head Butler, Raffles Bali
On 19 March 2026, Bali celebrates Nyepi Day, the Balinese Hindu New Year. This is traditionally a sacred day of silence, a spiritual reset marked by stillness and self-restraint. By contrast, the days leading up to Nyepi are ones of celebration and ceremony. In charge of translating this at Raffles Bali is Head Butler Surya Ariawan (Ari), who has skilfully curated a programme that brings the essence of Nyepi to guests. RAFFLES 1887 asked him to tell us more
What can you tell us about Nyepi Day at Raffles Bali?
Like the rest of Bali, we will be celebrating the Balinese Hindu New Year. In 2026, this day of observance falls on 19 March. We have lots of special guest activities planned, including meditation in The Secret Cave, bird- and butterfly-watching, an art tour, Jamu-making, tai-chi on the lawn and a botanical tour. There are activities for children too, including a pizza-making class and cookie decoration. Alternatively, guests can do as islanders do on Nyepi Day – nothing at all. For us, Nyepi is a day of observance, self-restraint and spiritual reset.
That sounds very peaceful…
Nyepi is all about stillness. Right across the island, roads are empty, homes fall silent, there is no artificial light and even air and sea traffic comes to a halt. The silence is intended to trick malevolent spirits into thinking Bali is uninhabited, so protecting it from harm. Over the centuries, Nyepi has become more than just a cultural tradition – it is a pillar of Balinese identity and spiritual practice that celebrates the island’s deep history and enduring faith
What will guests gain from their Nyepi experience, whether they join the gentle activities on offer or do nothing?
True stillness. In a world that’s constantly moving, Nyepi offers a pause where time feels slower. Many guests describe feeling more present, more grounded and more connected to themselves and their surroundings. Without distractions, they experience Bali not just as a destination, but as a place of balance, reflection and quiet beauty.
Is it a special time of year for you personally?
Nyepi Day is very meaningful to me. It’s a time to reconnect with my family – something that hasn’t been easy lately, as everyone is busy with their own lives and we sometimes don’t have time to talk. It also helps restore balance, which I carry into my personal life.
Are there any specific ceremonies across the island?
There are four distinct ceremonies. A few days before Nyepi is the Melasti ceremony. First Balinese Hindus will thoroughly clean their home and temple. Then, dressed in traditional white ceremonial clothing, they will head for the neighbourhood ‘Water of Life’ – this can be the sea, a lake, or a sacred spring: all are believed to have the power to cleanse and renew. Led by the Hindu priest, this holy ceremony begins with the placement of sacred objects and offerings. The priest chants prayers and mantras and sprinkles holy water over these objects as well as over the participants and their surroundings to purify them. Sacred items are then immersed or dipped in the water; many participants also bathe in it as a symbolic way of washing away their sins and negative karma.
And the second ceremony?
The day before Nyepi is Pengerupukan, which drives away negative energy to allow balance to be restored for the coming year. The day begins at home with Mecaru, during which each household prepares offerings to the spirits, placing them in specific spots around the house. As night falls, the head of the household addresses the spirits, asking for balance and protection. Next the blessed rice is spread around the home and yard. Everyone makes lots of noise to scare away any remaining bad spirits. Then begins Nyepi Eve.
Is this also a time to be quiet?
Just the opposite! It’s time to fill the streets with magnificent handicrafts called ogoh–ogoh. A month or two before this special day, each community decides on a design for its ogoh-ogoh, typically a frightening figure representing Bhuta Kala, evil spirits or demons, or negative human traits such as greed and envy. The ogoh–ogoh are then carried through the streets in a noisy parade designed to attract and confuse evil spirits. The procession is accompanied by loud gamelan music, chanting, and firecrackers. Crucially, the carriers shake and spin the effigies counter-clockwise at crossroads, disorienting the spirits so that they are unable to find their way back. If they’d like to, guests can attend the ogoh-ogoh parade at Jimabaran Village. At the end of the day, most ogoh–ogoh are taken to a cemetery or an open field and burned to ashes. This symbolises the destruction of all negative energies and evil spirits that the effigies have absorbed, purifying both the environment and the human soul. Now the third ceremony, Nyepi Day, can begin.
What happens on Nyepi Day itself?
At 6.00am Bali shuts down for 24 hours (except for emergency services, hospitals and discreet hotel operations). A day enveloped in quietness is believed to purify the mind of negative influences and prepare for the new year with a clean slate, guided by four principles of self-restraint: Amati Geni – no fire; Amati Karya – no work; Amati Lelungan – no travel; and Amati Lelanguan – no indulgence or sensory pleasure.
And the final ceremony?
The fourth ceremony is called Ngembak Geni which means ‘relighting of fire’. People return to their daily lives and normal activities are resumed. Many Balinese Hindus celebrate this day with family and friends and the island comes alive once more – brimming with clarity, pure thoughts and renewed energy.
Discover Nyepi with Raffles Bali’s Silent Harmony experience.
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