Bali falls silent as Hindus mark Day of Silence

Jimbaran beach is empty on Saturday, as Balinese Hindus mark Nyepi. Tourists in Bali are not allowed to leave hotels and residents must remain indoors for 24 hours as the island observes the traditional day of silence.

As the clock struck 7 a.m. Made Suastini awoke and began preparations for the Day of Silence, which starts on Saturday.

The 36-year-old woman went to her kitchen to prepare a complete breakfast of offerings for her ancestors, comprised of rice, fish, fruit, snacks and coffee.

She said the preparations differed from her usual offerings.


After preparing the offerings, Suastini, a textile seller at the Kuta Arts Market, said she would spend the rest of her Saturday in prayer.

That is more or less what all of Bali would do on Saturday, as the island's majority population of Balinese Hindus commemorate Nyepi, the Day of Silence, as reported by kompas.com.

All streets of Bali have been empty since 6 a.m., making the Island of the Gods look like a ghost town. No vehicles will be on the streets, no shops or offices will be open nor television or radio programs broadcast for 24 hours.

Bali will observe the Day of Silence until 6 a.m. on Sunday.


info The Jakarta Post