One of these occasions is prior to the celebration of the Balinese New Year, when all Bali-Hindu communities march in procession to the sea for purification. At certain times the masks are asked to make themselves known, and are ceremonially purified at rivers or the sea. Sacred masks are created by order of the deities, and serve as symbols of protective spirits for the communities that possess them. The night before Nyepi young adults in the communities, parade giant, demonic images they have created, along with torches and cacophonous percussive Gamelan through the villages in order to chase out malevolent spirits, cleansing the island for the New Years day (Nyepi). Offerings are also made in order to maintain balance and harmony. The Balinese believe in both high and low spirits, and both are given offerings to acknowledge their existence. In 2018 this major ritual will take place over four days, March 14-17. The dates when it happens one year will be different the next. The Bali-Hindu calendar is on a 210 day cycle, which, for the purpose of efficiency, is over-laid on the Gregorian calendar.
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