No Wi-Fi, No Electricity: Every Year, One of the World’s Most Popular Islands Falls Silent for 24 Hours

The article discusses Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, celebrated annually in Bali, Indonesia. Unlike typical New Year festivities, Nyepi is marked by a 24-hour period of silence, fasting, meditation, and introspection. Starting at 6 a.m., Balinese Hindus turn off electricity, stay indoors, and refrain from using cars or other forms of transportation. Local security officers, called pecalang, patrol the streets to ensure compliance. The island’s airport, tourist attractions, and hotels also shut down during this time. Nyepi is preceded by Ngrupuk, a day of vibrant parades featuring effigies of evil spirits, which are burned to symbolize purification.

No Wi-Fi, No Electricity: Every Year, One of the World’s Most Popular Islands Falls Silent for 24 Hours – Hindu Press International