The leading Hindu authority in Bali has issued updated guidance on how the upcoming Nyepi Day, the Balinese Day of Silence, will be observed.
The festival will be observed on March 29, 2025, and all non-Hindus, foreigners, and tourists on the island are expected to honor the rules of the day.
The Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) has issued new guidance for the upcoming Nyepi Day celebration.
The updated guidelines have been formally communicated to the Bali Provincial Government and the public in the circular letter signed by PHDI Bali Management Official Nyoman Kenak and PHDI Secretary Putu Wirata Dwikora.
Dwikora told reporters “Every year we always make a Circular Letter (containing the PHDI Decree), to remind the community because there are so many activities in the traditional village. The guidelines are much the same as each year and outline to village leaders and temple management teams how each ceremony of the festival must be conducted.
The updated guidance communicates that the Tumpek Wariga ceremony, which can be carried out by observing the Catur Brata Panyepian, must be completed by 6.30 WITA. He noted, “There is no problem if (in general) the content is the same. Even if there is a difference in minutes, what is important is that there is an explanation.”
He added “Why no later than 06.30 WITA? According to Ida Pandita’s Indra pramana (review), the change of day occurs at 06.00 (sunrise).”
This essentially means that temple ceremonies observed by local Balinese Hindus will be permitted to continue until 6.30 a.m. on Nyepi Day, though the official day of silence is usually marked by the ringing of bells and sounding of gongs at 6 am on Nypei Day.
The gongs and bells are then wrung again at 6 am the following morning to mark the end of the silence and stillness.
Tourists who are planning to be in Bali from the 28th – 30th March should be aware that the normal flow of the island changes over the festive period. From Midday on 28th March many businesses will close so that staff can travel home for the holiday.
On 29th March all businesses and public services are closed, though emergency services remain on duty. Many businesses are also closed on 30th March, or operate limited opening hours with fewer staff.
On March 29, 2025, tourists will not be able to travel anywhere and will be required to stay in their accommodation. Their hosts will advise them as to what activities are and are not permissible. Some hotels provide a silent buffet for guests and allow limited access to resort facilities, while others require guests to stay in their rooms and deliver food to them.
Some areas, like the outlying islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningna, may also have electric and WiFi connections cut. On Nyepi Day, it is customary not to use electricity or seek entertainment, and many Balinese Hindus will fast on this day, too.
Tourists will also find that they are unable to land in or travel out of Bali on the 29th of March 2025. This is because I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is closed for the full 24-hour period. For those wishing to be in Bali over the Nyepi period, it is advisable to arrive on the 27th of March rather than the 28th of March if possible. Similarly, departures are easier on the 31st of March.
Travelers should also be aware that this year Nyepi Day falls very close to Eid al-Fitr, which will be observed on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st March. Eid al-Fitr, referred to in Indonesia as Lebaran is a massive festival with millions of Muslims traveling throughout the country for the holidays, including to Bali.
Bali tourists are advised that the island will be exceedingly busy from the 27th of March through to the 2nd of April and are advised to book accommodation, activities, table reservations, and taxis and drivers as far in advance as possible. Brace for traffic!
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