Indonesia: Bali Province to observe Nyepi festival 06:00 March 11-06:00 March 12

Balinese Hindus will observe Nyepi, which is a Hindu Day of Silence, for 24 hours from 06:00 March 11. Hindus will remain at their family compounds, refrain from working, and avoid using fire, lights, and electricity during the holiday.

Transport and business disruptions will occur in Bali during the observance period. While the festival officially begins 06:00 March 11, authorities will almost certainly suspend transport services and close streets to all traffic except emergency vehicles from the afternoon of March 10. Major roadways, including the Bali Mandara Toll Road, will be shut 23:00 March 10-07:00 March 12. I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) will be shut 06:00 March 11-06:00 March 12. Seaports in Bali, including Gilimanuk, will almost certainly halt operations at varying time frames. Automated teller machines (ATMs), banks, government offices, and private businesses will likely shut down in tourist areas afternoon March 10 and possibly earlier in other parts of the province.

While hotels are exempt from Nyepi restrictions, authorities do not allow tourists to leave their hotel compounds. Pecalang (traditional security personnel) typically monitor beaches to prevent tourists from using them during Nyepi and may force people to return to their homes or hotels. Authorities could limit and/or suspend internet services in Bali during Nyepi.

Nyepi ceremonies, including Melasti purification rituals, will take place across Bali, typically starting days before the holiday. Additional police officers will likely deploy to help Pecalang secure a series of Nyepi ceremonies across Bali. Balinese Hindus will observe Pengrupukan rituals on the evening of March 10; these rituals involve public parades of large papier-mache effigies of evil spirits called ogoh-ogoh. Rival groups have tried to destroy each other's ogoh-ogoh in the past, prompting localized unrest.