Bali Is Shut On March 29 — Know Why This Hindu-Majority Island Falls Silent For A Day Every Year, Even For Tourists

Bali's Nyepi, the Hindu New Year, is observed in the 10th lunar month in Saka, the 210-day Balinese calendar. It falls on the day after the new moon.

Nyepi is found to leave behind a quieter, cleaner footprint with a temporary but noticeable dip in pollution.

Source : Getty (Canva)

The New Year in Bali is different. The beautiful island in the Java sea, and one of the most popular and vibrant tourist destinations in the world, does not party, or dance, or drink, or light firecrackers, or make merry on this day. Balinese Hindus mark Nyepi, the New Year day, at home with family, and in silence, with electricity and wifi turned off. For 24 hours starting 6 am, they fast and meditate as the entire island comes to a halt.  

Bali is a primarily Hindu island in the predominantly Muslim Indonesia. According to figures available in the public domain, Bali has around 90 percent of its population following an ancient form of Hinduism. And they are extremely serious about Nyepi, which literally means 'silence'.

Garuda Indonesia mengucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Nyepi 2025.

Dalam hening, kita menemukan harmoni. Semoga tahun baru Saka membawa kedamaian dan kebijaksanaan bagi kita semua.

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Garuda Indonesia wishes everyone a peaceful Day of Silence,

In silence, we find harmony. May this… pic.twitter.com/76OAMkuR74

— Garuda Indonesia (@IndonesiaGaruda) March 28, 2025

What Is Nyepi, And What Happens On This Day?

No tourist can enter or exit Bali on Nyepi on this day, and those already there may find themselves in an unexpected situation as they will be literally confined to their hotels. The airport remains closed, and so are all tourist attractions. Hotels won't check you in or out either, and the beaches will be out of bounds. All restaurants, grocery stores, and other shops will be closed too.

During Nyepi, Bali comes to a complete standstill as the island observes a set of strict, sacred restrictions. Daily life pauses entirely — no work is done, and everyone, including tourists, is expected to remain indoors. The use of fire and artificial light is also limited; cooking is discouraged, electricity use is minimal, and the island plunges into an intentional darkness, with unlit streets and quiet homes.

Entertainment is also off-limits — televisions, radios, and the internet are turned off, offering a profound moment of stillness in an otherwise fast-moving world.

Nyepi is observed in the 10th lunar month in Saka, the 210-day Balinese calendar. It falls on the day after the new moon. This year, it's on Saturday, March 29.

Travel comes to a halt as well on this day. One cannot find cars on the streets as people are supposed to stay home not only as a custom but also because local authorities ensure no one goes out, unless there is a medical emergency. According to reports, it is believed that if people stay indoors evil spirits flying overhead would think the island is uninhabited and won't bother it for a year.

“From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is meant to be a day of self-introspection to reflect on values of our humanity, love, patience and kindness that should be within ourselves for the rest of our lives,” the CNN report quotes Professor Wayan Ari, a Bali native and academic director at the School for International Training, as saying.

However, there are special rituals on the days leading up to Nyepi that tourists flock to Bali to experience, Amanda Syrowatka, owner of luxury resort Viceroy Bali, tells CNN.

Ogoh-ogoh parade upon Nyepi festivals of silent in Bali today. pic.twitter.com/JQEGi3knn7

— Sastra Bali Luxury (@sastrawanbali) March 28, 2025

Don't Miss The Ogoh-Ogoh Parade On Ngrupuk

If you happen to be in Bali during Nyepi, don’t miss the chance to witness the Ogoh-Ogoh parade. It's a once-a-year spectacle held on the eve of Nyepi. The day is called Ngrupuk. This vibrant event is a powerful blend of artistry and tradition, where towering, demon-like effigies are carried through the streets in lively processions — usually by children — before they are ceremonially set ablaze, symbolising the cleansing of negative energy.

Ngrupuk is the day set aside for releasing noise and energy before welcoming the New Year with quiet reflection. Traditionally, families move from house to house carrying torches, creating loud sounds, sprinkling 'meswi' — a local spice — into the corners of their home compounds, and placing 'tapakdara', or white limestone crosses, at the base of their family shrines. These symbolic actions serve as a spiritual cleansing, intended to drive out negative forces and wipe away the misfortunes of the past year, allowing the New Year to begin with a sense of renewal and purity.

Life in Bali springs back to motion the day after Nyepi with the celebration of Ngembak Geni. After a full day of silence and seclusion, families and communities reunite, filling the streets with warmth and laughter. It’s a time for social connection, where people visit one another, seek forgiveness, and symbolically release any lingering grudges or negativity from the past year.

Ngembak Geni is observed differently across the island, but the spirit remains the same: joy, renewal, and togetherness. People take the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors once again, embracing a fresh start after a day of deep reflection.

Nyepi is also found to leave behind a quieter, cleaner footprint — its pause in human activity leads to a temporary but noticeable dip in pollution, making it not only a spiritual reset but also a brief environmental reprieve.