Nyepi, or the Balinese Holy Day of Silence, will be observed on the 19th March. It is the most spiritually significant day of the year for Balinese Hindus, and it is truly an honour to be on the island during this auspicious time.
On Nyepi Day, the whole island falls silent, the use of electricity is prohibited, and everyone, including tourists, must stay indoors.
If you’re going to be in Bali on 19th March, here at The Bali Sun, we have everything you need to know about the big day.
One of the first questions tourists always ask about Nyepi is, ” Will the internet be cut too? Speaking to reporters this week, Gede Pramana, Head of the Bali Provincial Communications, Informatics, and Statistics Agency, has confirmed that, unlike in previous years, only the mobile signal will be cut this year; at home, Wi-Fi will remain up and running.
However, if properties or villages turn the power off at the mains, then of course the Wi-Fi will not work. While the use of lights and electricity is technically prohibited over Nyepi Day and night, most hotels, resorts, and accommodation providers do still keep the electricity on.
Guests will be politely requested to keep the use of electricity, specifically lights, to a minimum.
Pramana clarified, “It’s not the signal that’s turned off, but the data packages. Phone calls and SMS are still available.” Adding “WiFi and internet at home remain normal, there’s no decrease in speed. It’s just the data plan on the phone that’s been turned off.”
He confirmed, “Television broadcasts in Bali, in particular, will be off. That’s our request.” The limiting cellular data packages are expected to be in place from 6 am on 19th March to 6 am the following morning. Typically, everyone in Bali goes to their homes or accommodation after the Pengerupukan Ceremonies, also known as the Ogoh-Ogoh Parades.
The Ogoh-Ogoh Parades are one of the most exciting ceremonies in Balinese culture. Everyone in Bali right now will have seen the huge, monstrous creatures that are being built in every village across the island.
In every Banjar, teams of young men are working around the clock to design fearsome-looking statues that on the evening of 18th March will be paraded through their village’s streets. The intention is to ward off evil spirits ahead of the holy day of silence.
Tourists in Bali on the 18th March should check in with their accommodation hosts to find out about the Ogoh Ogoh Parade happening in their neighbourhood, and make sure to go out and join the community in lining the streets to watch the parade. It’s truly unmissable.
Nyepi Day will this year fall just days before Eid al-Fitr. With both religious festivals happening so close to one another and the moment of hundreds of thousands of people nationwide that week, tourists will notice a heightened security presence across the island.
Badung Police, who oversee destinations like Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, and more, have confirmed that they will be conducting increased patrols ahead of Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr.
The patrols are all part of Operation Cipkon Agung 2026, and Head of Operations, Police Commissioner I Gusti Nyoman Sudarsana, stated that all officers have now been deployed according to the operational plan.
“The Regional Operation, codenamed Operation Cipkon Agung-2026, will last for eight days, from 1st March to 8th March, 2026, involving 55 personnel. The Badung Police and all personnel from the Regional Police Sector (Polsek) will be involved.” Another phase of the operation will come into effect after 8th March.
Police Commissioner Sudarsana explained, “We urge the public to play an active role in maintaining environmental security, increase vigilance, and immediately report any potential disturbances to public order and security to the police.”
He concluded, “With synergy between the National Police and the community, it is hoped that Operation Cipkon Agung 2026 will run effectively and create a safe, orderly, and conducive situation in Badung Regency.”
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