Religion – ArtemNovator.com

Nyepi Day in Bali: The One Day When an Entire Island Shuts Down

Artem Novator — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 18:47:18 +0000

Nyepi Day – Day of Silence – is the only day on the island when Bali comes to a complete standstill: all establishments are closed, there are no people on the streets, the airport is closed, street lights are turned off. And the streets are patrolled by Pecalang, who enforce the rules.

For Your Information Pecalang are local volunteers chosen by the community to serve. They are not police officers or civil servants, but their power and respect are high among the locals. Their main job is to ensure that the island's traditions and customs are respected. Pecalang can often be found at festivals and help with the organization and execution of events.

In 2025, Nyepi Day fell on March 29. I spent Nyepi Day in Bali and saw with my own eyes how a tourist island of millions plunges into absolute silence and darkness. In this article, I’ll talk about a chance encounter with the Pecalang, satellite images of Bali on Nyepi Day, air travel data, and video analysis of the night’s silence.

Bali Nyepi a day from space: observing darkness from above

Nyepi Day is the only day of the year when the island of Bali practically disappears from the Earth’s nightlife map. And I thought it was the perfect option to see what Bali looks like on the Day of Silence from a bird’s eye view. My first idea was to use my DJI drone, but rules are rules – no noise and no lights.

So I started looking for sites that provide satellite imagery. After going through about 10 sites, only on two sites I was able to find night images from space.

First the NASA images, on them we can see how dramatically the light changes over the island from March 27 to March 31, 2025. Unlike the neighboring islands of Java and Lombok, Bali becomes almost invisible on Nyepi Day.

Photos taken from NASA website – https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov

The absence of light background is due to a strict ban on the use of any lighting – both outdoors and indoors. In apartments it is recommended to dim the lights or close the windows with curtains.

Now it’s the turn of NOAA (National Centers for Environmental Information) photos. Look at the images from a few days before and after Nyepi Day – the contrast is striking.

Photos taken from NOAA website – https://www.ncei.noaa.gov

These space images are not just a pretty picture, but a powerful reminder of the power of tradition and its impact on the life of an entire island.

Denpasar airport closed: ban on flights to Nyepi Day from Fly Radar

Another interesting fact about Nyepi Day is the complete cessation of air traffic. Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar), which normally receives up to 500 flights daily, comes to a standstill for 24 hours. It is one of the few airports in the world to close for 24 hours for religious reasons.

You could follow this event in real time using services like Flight Radar. In the video below, the 24-hour Nyepi Day is recorded in a sped-up mode. Where you can clearly see Bali’s local airport, Ngurah Rai, not accepting planes from 6am on March 29 to 6am on March 30 (local time). This is not just a restriction, but a deeply rooted tradition that demonstrates respect for spiritual practice and a desire for silence and introspection.

And a graph showing the number of scheduled departures from DPS/WADD Airport per day (UTC time) for the last 30 days in 2025.

Photo taken from the website – https://www.flightradar24.com

The Nyepi 2025 effect: reducing air traffic in Bali - analyzing 3 years of data

The impact of Nyepi Day on the tourist flow in Bali is obvious. However, I decided to check the information on the number of airplane arrivals in previous years to make sure. And I found these interesting air travel statistics for the last three years. The graph shows that every year in the run-up to Nyepi Day, the number of arrivals at Denpasar Airport drops dramatically. This is due to strict restrictions and the desire of most tourists and locals to honor tradition and pay homage to this unique Balinese practice.

Look at the air travel statistics for 2023-2025: 2-3 days before Nyepi and immediately after, the number of flights at Denpasar Airport drops by 40-60%.

Photo taken from the website – https://www.flightaware.com

Why is this happening?

Airlines are reducing the number of flights knowing about the ban.
Online aggregators and other airfare sites warn about Denpasar airport not operating.
Hotels warn in advance that it is impossible to enter and exit on the Nyepi holiday.
Tourists fear getting stuck at the airport or getting caught in heavy traffic jams during the Ogoh-Ogoh festival celebrations.

Day of Silence: the eerie silence of the night on Nyepi Day

When you rent a villa, house, or apartment in Bali, one of the main criteria is the neighbors. And I’m not so much talking about people, but about those who really affect your comfort: dogs, roosters, and construction sites. It is these “neighbors” that determine how quiet or, on the contrary, noisy your stay on the island of Bali will be.

Recently I moved to Jimbaran area – it is very cozy here, but there is one nuance: there are really a lot of dogs. They bark day, night, in the heat and rain, and if you are not a fan of sudden night concerts, it is worth considering when choosing accommodation.

Words are hard to capture the atmosphere that is Bali on Nyepi Day. You have to be here in person to feel it. But I tried to convey at least part of this feeling through video. The first video was shot on the night of March 18, 2025, when the dogs were still making their presence known. The second video was taken on the night of Nyepi Day when it suddenly becomes so quiet that even the dogs fall silent.

The difference is staggering. Even in the busiest areas of the island, there is a ringing silence. No cars, mopeds, music, or the usual barking of stray dogs can be heard. It’s a time when you can hear the beating of your own heart well and the dripping air conditioner…

And here’s the interesting thing: if during the day before Nyepi dogs are literally everywhere, then on the Day of Silence itself, they seem to disappear. Where do they disappear to? Are they being taken home? Do they sense the atmosphere of the day and freeze? Or is there some other explanation? If you have any guesses or personal experiences, post them in the comments – I’m very curious myself.

Caught breaking the rules: my encounter with the caretakers of the Nyepi holiday

Nyepi Day is not just about silence, it is also about strict adherence to rules. On this day, special groups of people, known as pecalang, patrol the streets and make sure everyone adheres to the rules.

7 p.m. March 29, I heard on the street, “Excuse me, is anyone here,” insistently, several times. I walk out of the house and see a pecalang standing outside the fence. And suddenly I realize that he’s there because of our lights not being turned off in the street parking lot. The thing is, the lights in our parking lot turn on and off on a timer that the homeowner set up. While I was calling the owner, a second pecalang had already arrived, a neighbor was checking on the light with the staff, and here we were all together trying to turn off the lights in the parking lot.

I was pleasantly surprised that the pecalang helped us without negativity and scolding. Pecalang even helped us tape up the street lights (solar powered) with duct tape.

Fortunately, everything went well, but this incident became an important lesson for me and once again reminded me of the need to respect local traditions.

Nyepi holiday: more than just a day of silence - understanding the spiritual heart of Bali

Nyepi is not just a “day off.” It is:

A day of purification from evil spirits;
Saka New Year (March 29 in 2025);
A test of respect for Bali’s culture: even tourists have to respect the rules.

Is it worth traveling to Bali on Nyepi Day? Unequivocally – Yes, if you want a unique experience and are ready for restrictions.

Personal advice: arrive 2-3 days before and stay 1-2 days after – that way you will see the preparations (Ogoh-Ogoh parades) and not miss the renewal of life on the island.

Nyepi in Bali & the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade: What to Expect on March 28, 2025

Artem Novator — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:51:18 +0000

The Ogoh-Ogoh parade is closely related to Nyepi Day. Nyepi is one of the most unusual and significant holidays in Bali, celebrated annually by Balinese Hindus. It is the Day of Silence, symbolizing the beginning of the new year according to the Balinese Saka calendar. Locals take this holiday very seriously, and many take time off to celebrate with relatives back home.

For Your Information I remind you that many Indonesians who work in Bali are not locals, they are newcomers, mostly from the island of Jawa! Therefore, some shops, cafes and other establishments may close a few days before the Nyepi holiday.

Unlike the usual New Year celebrations with fireworks and parties, the Balinese New Year is a time of complete solitude, reflection and spiritual cleansing. In the year 2025, Nyepi falls on March 29, and on this day, life on the island literally comes to a standstill. All forms of activity are forbidden during the day: you can’t go outside, you can’t make noise, you can’t use electricity, and the airport and ports are completely closed. Even Internet connections can be cut off.

Nyepi is not just a day of silence. It is a ritual cycle that begins the day before Nyepi – preparations, karaoke, and a raucous Ogoh-Ogoh parade. And Nyepi ends with a gradual return to normal life on March 30th. Of course, the preparations for Nyepi start much earlier, and I will show you a bit of the preparation process.

But mostly in this article, I’ll share how the day before Nyepi begins – the festive chaos of March 28th. And I’ll also share personal observations and photos that will convey the atmosphere of this unique holiday.

What happens the day before Nyepi in Bali?

The day before Nyepi is a hectic time in Bali. It’s a time of preparation: locals and tourists buy food and water a day in advance, as no one will be able to leave the house on March 29th. Most shops and cafes are open part-time, usually until 3 pm. Only supermarkets – Indomaret, Alfamaret, Circle K and others – will remain open in the evening on March 28. Tourists, especially those who are experiencing the holiday for the first time, are surprised by the madness in the shops and the warnings of the innkeepers about tomorrow’s restrictions.

Throughout the day on March 28, Balinese carefully prepare for the upcoming day of solitude and introspection. Houses are buzzing with activity as hostesses clean every nook and cranny and prepare meals that will last a whole day without cooking – because Amati Karya, the ban on work, also applies to cooking.

For Your Information Amati Karya is one of the main prohibitions during Nyepi in Bali.
What is forbidden?
• Cooking - even using a stove or making a fire is considered a violation.
• Working - all businesses, shops and offices are closed. Even working online is discouraged.
• Physical labor - cleaning, building, repairing are also forbidden.

Therefore, food is usually eaten cold on Nyepi Day, and some people practice light fasting as part of their spiritual cleansing. In temples, priests perform purification rituals, and residents bring gifts to the gods to ask for prosperity and protection.

It’s also a day when you can hear loud dance music or karaoke songs in the streets during the day. Local Balinese (from my observations – only men) gather on the street around a large table, drinking beer, eating snacks, and listening to music or singing karaoke. When I was filming one of these parties, I was noticed and invited to join them. They started serving beer and told me about the prohibitions on Nyepi Day. What I noticed was that there was a lot of beer on the table and a glass for everyone – they took turns drinking.

Ogoh-Ogoh parade 2025: Bali’s cleansing ritual before Nyepi

Of course, the main event of the day that many Balinese prepare for is the Ogoh-Ogoh parade. Ogoh-Ogoh are giant effigies of demons made of bamboo, paper and other materials. Each effigy is the embodiment of evil, negative energy, and all the vices the Balinese want to get rid of before the New Year in the Saka calendar. These intimidating yet mesmerizing creatures often stand several feet tall and are stunning in their detail and expression. And it is impossible not to mention the modern stuffing of such effigies – light diodes, lighting, smoke machines, sound effects and rotating elements.

Ogoh-Ogoh parades take place all over the island of Bali, and you can always ask locals for information about the location and time. You can also find information on the internet by searching for “Ogoh-Ogoh Parade 2025 Jimbaran”. We were in Jimbaran, so we went to the Ogoh-Ogoh Festival at 6 o’clock, the parade started at 6:30 pm at this location – https://maps.app.goo.gl/RgCamxS6HVp5mKPGA. Arrive early, about an hour in advance to get the most comfortable seats to watch the parade. Be prepared for the Ogoh-Ogoh parade to last up to 5 hours or more.

For Your Information Tips for preparing for the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade:
- bring cold water;
- bring a fan or portable fan;
- eat something before the parade;
- charge your cell phone;
- bring a raincoat or umbrella.

Well, the long-awaited start, the young people dressed in traditional attire line up and prepare to carry the huge figures, accompanied by the loud sounds of drums, gongs and other musical instruments. The Ogoh-Ogoh parade in Jimbaran consisted of 13 figures. Each figure is carried down a long corridor to an intersection where the dance begins and lasts about 20 minutes. It is very difficult to get to the crossroads, so you have to arrive early. The Ogo-Ogoh dance is chaotic, energetic, and even a little scary. It is believed that the noise and movement drive away evil spirits and purify the space.

The Ogoh-Ogoh parade is not just an entertainment for tourists and locals. Ogoh-Ogohs are created to concentrate negative energy, evil and vices to be expelled from the island of Bali before Nyepi Day. This process, according to the Balinese, can make certain places or people more susceptible to the effects of evil spirits. We witnessed one woman begin to cry dramatically, screaming and falling to her knees. The organizers immediately came to her, helped her up, and took her out of the crowd. Later, locals told us that sometimes this happens and people fall into a state of kedasran during the ogoh-ogoh parade.

For Your Information Kedasaran is the Balinese term for possession. Symptoms: convulsions, aggression, speaking in "ghost language," temporary memory loss.

Why does this happen?

The Balinese perspective: Spirits resist exorcism and attack weak participants or those who have not observed a complete ritual fast.
The scientific explanation: a combination of ecstasy, sleep deprivation (parade preparations last for weeks), and powerful acoustic effects (drums reach 120 dB).

For Your Information Balinese culture is deeply rooted in Hindu beliefs, which include a belief in the existence of spirits, both good (deva) and evil (bhuta and kala). It is believed that these spirits can influence people's lives.

The parade culminates with the burning of the Ogoh-Ogoh after the parade, or the next day, which is less common. The flames consume the effigies, symbolizing the destruction of evil and the release of negative energy. Along with the smoke, all the troubles and misfortunes are carried away into the sky, leaving room for purity, harmony, and new hopes. We did not witness the burning, but we saw the Ogoh-Ogoh dolls being taken away in trucks after the parade.

After the burning of the Ogoh-Ogoh dolls, there is silence… Tomorrow is Nyepi Day, the day of silence, when the island will fall into total solitude and introspection. But until then, there are still a few hours to enjoy the last moments of bustle and prepare for the day of silence to come. There’s a chance to stop by the store for groceries if you haven’t already.