Harbors and airport to be closed on Nyepi day

All points of entry to the island, including three major ferry harbors and a busy international airport, will be closed down for 24 hours during the Balinese Hindu commemoration of Nyepi, a senior official said Sunday.

“We have coordinated with all relevant authorities, including harbor and airport management, about this closure,” said Bali administration spokesperson Putu Suardhika.

Nyepi is the annual celebration to mark the Hindu New Year. This year, Nyepi will fall on March 16.

Unlike other Hindu celebrations, which are characterized by street parades, colorful offerings, art performances and busy temples, Nyepi is the celebration of silence.

For 24 hours during Nyepi, the Balinese Hindus will follow four main abstinences; Amati Geni (refraining from lighting any fire or light), Amati Karya (refraining from working), Amati Lelungan (refraining from traveling outside the family compound) and Amati Lelanguan (refraining from partaking in any leisure activity). Religious leaders will observe a fifth abstinence of Mona Brata (refraining from talking).

The closure will affect the Ngurah Rai international airport, Padangbai ferry harbor in Karangasem, Gilimanuk ferry harbor in Jembrana, Benoa ferry and shipping port in Denpasar and Celukan Bawang shipping port in Buleleng.

Padangbai connects Bali with West Nusa Tenggara. Gilimanuk connects Bali with Java.

“These points of entry will be closed from 06:00 am on March 16 until 06:00 am on March 17,” Suardhika said.

He asked the island’s residents not to travel outside respective houses during Nyepi.

Roads will be closed and only the Pecalang (traditional guardsmen) will be allowed to patrol the streets.

Only clearly marked ambulances transporting sick people and other emergency responders will be exempted from the rule.

“The ambulance driver has to carry a letter from the leader of the sick person’s village,” Suadhika said.

Only hospitals and hotels will be allowed to turn on their lights during Nyepi’s night.

“We have asked the hotels’ management to reduce the number of electrical lights they would turn on during that night,” Suardhika said.

Hindu scholar Ketut Sumarta said Nyepi was the peak of the Balinese Hindus’ journey to emptiness.

“During Nyepi, *Hindus* do nothing but contemplate the meaning of silence, trying to commune with their true, inner-self.”