It is the most beautiful day of the year here in Bali.
Don’t worry, The Bali Sun readers, we are all at home, screen-free and observing this holy day of silence, but we thought it only right to share a final update with our readers in case they’ve just arrived on the island and are not sure what is happening right now.
Today, 19th March 2026, is Nyepi Day in Bali. This is the most spiritually important day of the year, and marks the turning of the traditional Balinese calendar. Nyepi Day, also known as the holy day of silence, is a 24-hour period when all becomes still.
There is no movement of people or transport, no talking, music, or noise, no light, no use of electricity or power, and no fun or entertainment. This sacred day is honoured by all in Bali, including non-Balinese Hindu Indonesian residents, international residents, and tourists.
Last night, Bali came alive with the raucous and chaotic noise of the Ogoh Ogoh Parades. For anyone arriving in Bali for the first time in the last couple of days, this could have been a little shock to the system – welcome to Bali! This is how we do things around here! Proud of our culture and a place where tradition is a living and breathing part of everyday life, you have picked the best time of year to visit!
From Denpasar to Lovina, Canggu to Uluwatu, Ubud to Amed, and every village in between, Bali was alive with the Pengerupukan ceremonies, also known as the Ogoh Ogoh Parades. During these ceremonies, whole villages come together to run the ferocious Ogoh Ogoh through the streets to clear away bad karma, pent-up anger, frustration, and negative energy that has built up over the year, ahead of the day of silence when all harmony is restored and comes back into balance.
These Ogoh Ogoh are all made by hand by local community members and often take more than four months to design and build. Typically, Ogoh Ogoh are made using natural materials such as bamboo, clay, and paper.
Though some of the larger statues are reinforced with metal skeletal structures, the use of lights and animatronic technology is increasingly adopted by those with the budget. Ogoh Ogoh competitions are held around the island, though some communities and designers have opted not to take part to keep the focus on the Pengerupukan ceremony as a ritual and act of worship.
In Ubud, the most impressive Ogoh Ogoh was the Mayan Butcher. Created by the Banjar Kebon Kaja community, “The Butcher of Maya” depicted a fearsome supernatural being who had witnessed every human action, particularly those affecting the surrounding environment. The Ogoh Ogoh was created to serve as a symbolic boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds, acting as an invisible watchdog over human actions that often disrupt the balance of nature.
Speaking to reporters, Wayan Nik Adi Astika confirmed that the Mayan Butcher stands approximately 4.70 meters tall. The project cost an estimated IDR 25 million (approximately USD 1,000). Despite featuring a single central figure, the work’s strength lies in the depth of its meaning and message, not simply its sheer number of visual elements.
Astika noted that although the community did not take part in the competition this year, they hope that by taking a year off from the competitive element of the cultural event, they can be back even bigger and better than ever next year.
Astika concluded, “Thank God, this is an evaluation for us. Going forward, we will further refine our concept and plans so we can participate in the Gianyar Regency-level competition in 2027.”
As Bali remains in silence today, tourists in Bali are reminded that they are obliged to stay inside until 6 am on Friday, 20th March. For this, staying in villages, it will be possible to hear the gong being sounded from the Banjar tomorrow morning. Tourists are reminded that this evening, it is best to keep lights off and observe the darkness (and the stars!), though keeping low lights for safety is acceptable.
Rahajeng Rahina Nyepi x
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