Will you be in Bali this Saturday 29th March 2025? Are you up to speed about the events of the most holy day of the year and how you are expected to respect and observe the day?
Nyepi Day is the most important day of the Balinese Hindu calendar and all those on the island, irrespective of their faith or religion are expected to observe the customs of the day.
Nyepi Day, the Balinese holy day of silence, will start with the sound of a gong or a drum sounding out over every village and community on the island at 6am on Saturday 29th March.
From 6am on Saturday 29th March until 6am on Sunday 30th March everyone is expected to stay in their homes, hotels, resorts, villas or accommodation.
Throughout the 24 hours, Balinese Hindus will observe the four restrictions of the holy day, known as Catur Brata Penyepain. These are no fire, or Amati Geni, no working, known as Amati Karya, no traveling, known as Amati Lelungan, and no entertainment, known as Amati Lelanguan.
Amati Geni, since the tradition of Nyepi spans back generations, also refers to the modern-day no light and no electricity.
Though, in Bali the power will remain on, lights and electricity are meant to be used minimally. Tourists in Bali who wish to use the lights in their accommodation will be expected to close the curtains or blinds and use as little light as possible.
For the first time, electricity will remain on in Nusa Penida. Typically all connection is cut on Nusa Penida for the 24 hours of Nyepi. However, all across Bali Province, including the outlying islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, telecoms services are expected to be cut. This includes mobile signal and internet connection.
The Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, told reporters “For Nyepi Day we will prepare a letter to all mobile operates as well as broadcasting providers to cease broadcasting and services for one day.”
The Director General of Digital Infrasture at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Wayan Toni Supriyanto, told reporters “During Nyepi Day, all internet and broadcasting services will be down from 6am until 6am the next day.”
He confirmed that the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has been working to create support strategies to ensure that connection resumes seamlessly, especially as Eid al-Fitr, Indonesia’s biggest public holiday, will be observed on Sunday 30th, and Monday 31st of March.
Supriyanto explained, “The government and mobile operators have agreed to provide support to the community in the form of discounted package rates of up to 50% without compromising on service quality.”
For tourists who will be in Bali this weekend, it is best to prepare to be offline for at least 24 hours. In years gone by, it has been announced that telecom services will be cut, but on the day have remained live; it is best to assume the cut will go ahead fully and prepare to be offline.
Typically the public, including tourists, should be in position ahead of Nyepi Day by midday on Friday 28th March. This is because many businesses and attractions will be operating limited opening hours the day before Nypei.
It is also important to be in place as early as possible on Friday 27th March as road closures will come into effect from as early as 3 pm, in some areas from midday, as communities prepare for the magical and monstrous Ogoh-Ogoh Parades.
Tourists who wish to observe Ogoh-Ogoh Parades are advised to contact their accommodation providers to find out the exact timings for parades happening close to their hotels, resorts, guesthouses, and villas.
While Nyepi Day technically starts from 6 am on 29th March, foreigners and most community members will be expected to be at home, or within their accommodation shortly after the end of the Ogoh-Ogoh Parades, which usually finish by the latest of 10 pm.
Tourists will see more security teams, especially local pecalang, out and about over the coming days. They are tasked with keeping public order, directing traffic and ensuring that the customs of the upcoming holy days are respected by all.
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Shorty
Friday 28th of March 2025
For those whingeing, complaining and criticising Nyepi and the restrictions.
It's an essential part of Hindu worship and culture in Bali. It's importance can also be gauged by the RI central government allowing and recognising the closures and all that entails.
Expats and the majority of tourists are aware of the restrictions involved well before the day. You've ample opportunity to prepare. If you are possibly affected, you, not Nyepi is the problem.
To expect some kind of 'accommodation' is bloody arrogant and shows lack of respect for the place that we've chosen, and allows us to live as guests.
It's ironic. This and other articles about Nyepi which is a 1 day shutdown get criticism and whinges. Yet the government services being closed for almost a week get almost none.
Most Muslim owned warungs or Muslim staffed are closed for Eid.
Shorty
Monday 31st of March 2025
@Randy,
Not a 'Born Again' anything. A lifelong committed atheist, with respect for other peoples' religious views and practices.
CCTV doesn't need an internet connection. Images are/can be stored internally or on storage devices for viewing if needed.
The internet is not turned off. To use it you need an account. Providers can selectively block or allow access. I'd suggest here essential services are not blocked.
Quietly working from home is still working. Amati Karya: No working.
Nyepi and the condition are and have been widely publicised. I don't believe there would be any tourists who aren't aware. Add in the advice they'll get from the hotel, losman, villa, pondok....and from pecalang. Besides, wouldn't they notice there's no one else on the street or beach and wonder why? If they choose to ignore it, wear the penalty.
Exp
Sunday 30th of March 2025
@Randy, The problem is not the tourists:
The only ones arrested on Nyepi day as per local news; 1) Drunk police officer 2) A police officer out driving his motorbike
Randy
Saturday 29th of March 2025
@Shorty,So did you become a Hindu?? Reborn Hindus, reborn Buddhists, reborn Christians or reborn Muslims for that matter can be more vocal...
By the way, the Internet is actually working according to some residents in Bali even though they have received an e-mail of the outage for 24 hours. You can still work and do stuffs at home quietly and enjoying the peace as long as you do NOT turn on the lights, TV and go outside. Non Hindus know that as much. People regardless of their religious beliefs can still respect and do about their daily activities within the confinement of their own private home. That’s all. Let’s not over thinking it.
I am actually more worried about the foreign tourists. Wandering out can land you with a hefty fine of AUD 95 or IDR 1 million according to a newspaper outlet as a reminder for Aussies. Go figure!!
Jordan
Thursday 27th of March 2025
Did I read this wrong or is in the internet just being cut on the islands not mainland bali itself?
Randy
Wednesday 26th of March 2025
With all due respect for Nyepi day, Internet services used by private individuals and public should be at least working in emergency situation. 24 hours without internet service is a bit far fetched considering people will still work online quietly in private homes. CCTV works for the most part with internet services and and some who may be away on Nyepi day would be looking remotely to make sure no home invasion has occurred in the darkness of the night. So without Internet, it will be pitched dark, therefore no CCTV working. Just saying…
Randy
Wednesday 26th of March 2025
In all due respect for Nyepi day, Internet services used by private individuals and public should be at least working in emergency situation. 24 hours without internet service is a bit far fetched considering people will still work online quietly in private homes. CCTV works for the most part with internet services and and some would be looking to make sure no home invasion has occurred in the darkness of the night. No noise no sound. Just saying...
Randy
Tuesday 1st of April 2025
@Shorty, well that ship has sailed
Shorty
Sunday 30th of March 2025
@Randy, Apart from any fibre optic exemptions there's still satellite and radio.
Randy
Saturday 29th of March 2025
@Shorty, sorry to burst your bubbles, actually the Internet is working according to some residents in Bali even though they have received an e-mail of the outage for 24 hours. You can still work and do stuffs at home quietly and enjoying the peace as long as you do NOT turn on the lights, TV and go outside. Non Hindus know that as much. People regardless of their religious beliefs can still respect and do about their activities within the confinement of their home.
LOL I sent to myself...
Randy
Saturday 29th of March 2025
@Randy, sorry to burst your bubbles, actually the Internet is working according to some residents in Bali even though they have received an e-mail of the outage for 24 hours. You can still work and do stuffs at home quietly and enjoying the peace as long as you do NOT turn on the lights, TV and go outside. Non Hindus know that as much. People regardless of their religious beliefs can still respect and do about their activities within the confinement of their home.
Randy
Friday 28th of March 2025
@Shorty, last year internet service was not turned off. Not asking for an exemption I am merely asking for a suggestion. There is a BIG difference. So don’t get me started!! Besides I am not in Bali to enjoy like you may be doing on Nyepi day. So have a nice day and contemplate quietness!!
Btw...they are constructions all around Bali, and let’s hope that the Pecalang is doing its jobs as a neighborhood watch in the dark.
Michael
Wednesday 26th of March 2025
What will we do If there is an Emercency?!
Shorty
Thursday 27th of March 2025
@Michael,
Systems have in place for ages. Your hotel, banjar, roving pecalang...will handle it. Look on the bright side. If it's medical, the ambulance journey will be a breeze! No traffic cluttering the roads!
Exp
Wednesday 26th of March 2025
@Michael, Internet access via fiber optic lines should be online (at least that is what my provider indicate). Hence possible to use whatsapp for calling emergency.