The Jakarta Post, Denpasar
The resort island of Bali will be temporarily closed for 24 hours as of Monday morning at 6 a.m. through to the same time Tuesday to observe Nyepi (the Hindu Day of Silence).
The island's Ngurah Rai International Airport will welcome its last flight on Sunday at midnight and will halt operations until the morning of March 20, according to airport spokesman Ahmad Munir.
"We announced the closure on Jan. 9 to all domestic and international airlines plying Bali routes. Therefore, (the companies) already understand the situation," Munir said.
During the ritual of Nyepi, 90 percent of the island's 3.5 million inhabitants will practice Yoga Semedi and Catur Berata Penyepian (meditation), Amati Geni (which forbids them from lighting fires and switching on lights), Amati Karya (working), Amati Lelanguan (enjoying leisure activities) and Amati Lelungan (leaving their houses).
Bali will be completely darkened and silenced for a full day, allowing the island's Hindu population to meditate, contemplate and pray for a better future.
Nyepi is one of the most important religious rituals for Balinese Hindus to welcome the Saka New Year 1929.
No visitors are allowed to come to the island during the day of silence. All entry points, apart from the international airport, Gilimanuk Port in West Bali and Padang Bai Port in East Bali, will be closed.
Gede Putrawan, head of Gilimanuk Port said the ferry port will be closed on Monday morning from 5:30 a.m. through to Tuesday at 6 p.m.
In Padang Bai, the last ferry to travel to Lombok Island will depart by 4:30 a.m. on Monday morning.
Domestic and foreign visitors are encouraged to stay in their hotels and other places of accommodation during the holiday, as the island will be tightly guarded by traditional Balinese security guards, Pecalang, to ensure all people abide by the holiday regulations.
Schools, public and private offices, and banks will put a hold on operations on the day. Most local and foreign bank ATMs will only operate until 12 noon on Sunday and will be reopened on March 21.
Prior to the Nyepi holiday, Balinese Hindus carried out a series of rituals that began last Friday when thousands of Hindus paraded to the beach nearest them to hold the Melasti ritual -- the cleansing of utensils and more importantly, their souls.
The Melasti ceremony symbolizes the purification of the earth and the universe through the removal of all evil elements.
On Sunday, the Balinese will hold a Tawur Kesanga ceremony, a ritual to present a caru (sacrifice) to the Bhuta Kala (demons), which will be symbolized by giant Ogoh-ogoh dolls that act to ward off any devilish or negative forces.
On the same afternoon, thousands of people will carry their Ogoh-ogoh and set them on fire at a Pengurupukan ritual.
Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Purwoko said he had already deployed hundreds of police officers to ensure the smooth running of the ceremony.
"Many streets will be closed and rerouted to avoid traffic jams in many places in Bali this coming Sunday afternoon. I suggest to visitors they stay away from the crowds for their own security," Purwoko said.
He said Christian leaders have also been asked to hold Sunday mass by 4 p.m. at the latest due to the impending traffic jams.
But for many of the island's visitors, these ceremonies provide a rare tourist attraction, with many traveling to Bali specifically to watch the holiday celebrations.
Tjokorda Ardana Sukawati, chairman of the Bali Hotels and Restaurants Association, said that despite the many tourists who have been attracted to the island over the Nyepi holiday, hotels have been encouraged not to hold live music performances and to refrain from switching on lights.
"The majority of hotels in Bali are now fully booked. They are offering a variety of Nyepi packages," he said.
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