Tourists and travelers who will be in Bali on the 29th of March are reminded that all travel will be forbidden for 24 hours as the island falls silent to observe Nyepi Day.
Also known as the Balinese Day of Silence, Nyepi is the most sacred festival for Balinese Hindus and all those on the island, regardless of their faith, are expected to respect the tradition.
The Head of the Bali Transportation Agency, IGW Samsi Gunarta, spoke to reporters on Thursday 13th March, ahead of the festivities at the end of the month. He and his teams are calling for tourists and travelers to plan and to compensative their travel plans in the knowledge that traffic congestion will be much higher in the days leading up to Nyepi.
It should also be noted that Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr fall on the same weekend this year which will also see millions of domestic tourists travel throughout the country. In Indonesia, the Eid al-Fitr holiday is also known as Lebaran and is often referred to as homecoming as millions of families travel to their homes to celebrate with their families.
Gunarta told reporters “We all knew about this long before, what is clear is that all preparations for going home and Nape have been coordinated, don’t let it get left behind, if you get left behind, you won’t be able to get through.”
Transportation leaders have been clear that they will do all they can to mitigate traffic congestion and support the flow of travelers thought the airport and on roads, but that for the 29th of March, there will strictly be no movement on the island. Leaders want both domestic tourists and international tourists to seriously plan for the Nypei and Eid al-Fitr weekend.
There will strictly be no movement on the 28th March and getting access to taxis and private drivers on the 27th March could get difficult as workers return to their home villages across the province to prepare for the holy day. Most shops and restaurants will close early on 28th March, normally around midday, and won’t open again until at least midday on the 30th, though many will be closed all weekend.
Tourists should be ‘in place’ ready for Nyepi Day by early afternoon on the 28th March. On the evening of the 28th of March roads will close across Bali as communities prepare for the Ngrupuk Parade, also known as the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade. This exhilarating event happens in almost every village and community in Bali.
Young people who have been working tirelessly for months on their demonic, monstrous Ogoh-Ogoh parade their effigies through the streets, accompanied by live music, fire breathers, and dancing. It is quite the spectacle to behold.
Tourists are often welcome to observe the Ngrupuk Parade and should speak with their hotel or accommodation host to find out more details regarding the timing and location of their closest Ngrupuk Parade.
On Nypei Day, Bali Airport is closed and no one is allowed to leave their homes, hotels, or resorts for 24 hours.
Local pecalang security teams and police will be monitoring the streets to ensure that everyone obeys the rules. Tourists will be expected to observe silence or at the very least be extremely quiet in their rooms, resorts, or private villas.
While Balinese Hindus will observe the day without entertainment, and electricity, in most hotels the WiFi will stay on, though guests may be asked to draw their curtains if they are going to use their lights after dark.
Each hotel and resort offers something different in terms of food and drinks for their guests on Nyepi Day. Some offer a silent buffet-style meal, others will deliver a prepared meal to guest’s rooms the day before.
For many who have never experienced Nypei before the day of silence can seem a little daunting, but in reality, it is a calming and relaxing day to be in Bali.
Time moves more gently, it is an excellent day to catch up on reading, meditate, or journal while soaking in the sanctity of the day; it is palpable.
Be sure to stargaze at night, the stars on Nyepi Night are always next level as light pollution is cleared from the island.
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