Internet services on the island will also be affected as the local Telecom provider will turn off the mobile data packages for all mobile phones during Nyepi Day, as instructed by the local government.
Nyepi Day, Bali’s day of silence to mark the Hindu New Year, takes place on Saturday, March 17, when the entire island, including the airport, will close down.
Internet services on the island will also be affected as the local Telecom provider will turn off the mobile data packages for all mobile phones during Nyepi Day, as instructed by the local government.
However people will still be able to send SMS messages and make calls during the day.
Marcel Barmettler, general manager Asia World Indonesia, offers this advice for those who will be in Bali on March 17.
In the evening prior to one day before Nyepi, the local people usually do the famous ogoh-ogoh parades, where Balinese men (and boys) carry scary creatures of respectable sizes through the streets accompanied by noise and gamelan music.
Tourists and visitors are welcome to watch the parades, take pictures and witness this unique spectacle. Asia World Indonesia strongly suggests guests remain near their hotels, as there will be traffic and road closure on main roads in Denpasar, Kuta and Nusa Dua area.
Nyepi is observed from 6am on March 17 until 6am on March 18. During this period restrictions are placed on all activities. There will be no work, no entertainment or pleasure, no travelling, and no lighting of fires.
Lights, when switched on, have to be kept low. Bali literally comes to a standstill with almost complete silence throughout the island.
Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali also observe a day of silence out of respect. Tourists are not exempted from the restrictions although they are free to do as they wish inside their hotels, but no one is allowed on to the beaches or streets.
Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport will be closed for the entire day (March 17).