The name Ogoh Ogoh is derived from the Balinese “ogah-ogah”, meaning “to shake”, and it represents the Bhuta-Kala or evil spirits, vices that need to kept away from humans. The parade ends with countless bonfires, when some of the laboriously designed monsters are ceremoniously burnt and fall to ashes at the cemetery, however, in recent times many villages keep their Ogoh-Ogoh’s and put them in their community building to show off to the other villages.
Following the procession and to achieve full silence, Bali enters in a complete lock down for 24hrs. People are forbidden to leave their houses, turning on any lights or music. The Airport is closed, Cars are not allowed on the road and even the Internet is shut down. Everything must be switched off, the island is on pause. Balinese usually use this day to fast, meditate, practice yoga: a day to reset positive energy. Legend also believes that the silence influences the malevolent spirits into believing that there is no one left on the island; thus, causing them to leave. On this one particular day, you put yourself to rest and reflect on yourself. It is an opportunity for the nature to take a rest from human activity as well.
This yearly event in Bali takes this year a very strong echo everywhere in the world, where the bad spirit took the form of a virus, and country after country has shut down the whole world.
Nyepi (Day of Silence) may be just for one day in Bali, however, we should all use this time of isolation to reflect about our own lives and how much our priorities have changed in the last few weeks and be thankful for all that we have, take the time look at all the beauty that surrounds us, take a moment to breathe and live one day at a time.
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