Repositioning Nyepi Day in Bali as Cultural Tourism Attraction

Abstract

The authentic and unique attraction primarily lies in the ritual-cultural activities of the Balinese Hindus including the series of Nyepi celebrations consisting of the melasti ritual, tawur kesanga ritual, the ogoh-ogoh parade and especially the moment of Nyepi (the Nyepi day or the day of silence), all of which can be found only in Bali, and have then become a business opportunity in the form of Nyepi packages offered by the tourism industry to tourists. 3). The Nyepi holiday package as a tourist attraction consisting of the melasti ritual, tawur kesanga ritual, the ogoh-ogoh parade and the moment of Nyepi day in reality engages three (3) components, namely: (1) The Balinese Hindus carrying out the religious rituals as the component of community that occupy the sacred spiritual dimension; (2) the tourism industry especially the travel agencies that occupy the dimension of economic interests, practicing commodification whereby they profane sacred rituals for commercial purposes by offering Nyepi holiday packages to tourists; and (3) the tourists as consumers occupying the secular dimension that have different beliefs but can witness, enjoy and even participate in the sacred moment.