Pemuteran, Ogoh Ogoh and Nyepi

Pemuteran is a small, tranquil fishing village on the northwest coast of Bali, far from the tourist bustle of the south. It's known for its calm black-sand beaches, world-class diving and snorkelling on fringing coral reefs, and a strong community commitment to conservation. The village is home to the famous Biorock project — one of the largest coral reef restoration efforts in the world, using low-voltage electrical currents to accelerate coral growth.

Ogoh-Ogoh are enormous, elaborate papier-mâché or bamboo effigies — typically depicting demonic or mythological figures from Hindu-Balinese tradition. They are built by local communities in the weeks leading up to Nyepi, and on the eve of Nyepi they are paraded through the streets on large bamboo platforms, carried by dozens of people and accompanied by music... The procession is exceptionally lively and a beautiful celebratory atmosphere to behold. After the parade, the effigies are burned to symbolise the purification of the world and the banishing of evil spirits before the new year begins.

Nyepi is the Balinese Hindu New Year and a most extraordinary day — a complete Day of Silence (well close enough)... The entire island of Bali essentially shuts down for 24 hours. There is supposed to be no work, no travel (even the airport closes), no lights, no entertainment, and no noise. Balinese Hindus spend the day in self-reflection and meditation. The idea is that by making the island appear dark and deserted, evil spirits passing over will think it is uninhabited and move on.Read more