AsiaRooms.com - Celebrate Melasti and Nyepi in Seminyak

    SEMINYAK, INDONESIA, January 27, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Western travellers who are keen to see how different cultures ring in the new year should head to Bali in the coming weeks.

The Indonesian island will celebrate Nyepi, also known as the start of the Saka New Year, with a series of events leading up to the big occasion on March 5th 2011.

However, whereas Brits are used to marking the event with a night of revelry, followed by songs and dancing when midnight arrives, the Balinese people act rather differently.

Ahead of Nyepi, Melasti will take place on March 2nd and involves a procession of worshippers heading to the beaches at locations such as Sanur and Kuta. Offerings are made to the gods and effigies are carried for purification, making for an impressive spectacle that people staying in Seminyak hotels should not miss.

In the evenings between Melasti and Nyepi, locals make as much noise as possible in an attempt to ward off evil spirits and plenty of food is cooked up.

When the latter date arrives, Hindus participate in a day of silence, during which no-one leaves their homes and no activities are carried out - in stark contrast to the entertainment that takes place every December 31st in other cultures.

"Westerners open the new year in revelry, however, in contrast, the Balinese open their new year in silence," notes Indo.com.

AsiaRooms.com recommends a variety of Seminyak accommodation, such as the Sanur Beach Hotel Seminyak.

Editors Notes:

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