Local Updates of Bali

Bali island is covered in dark when Hindu conducted their “Catur Brata Penyepian” – Four taboo to be done when Silence Day – welcoming Saka New Year 1932 since Tuesday.

One of the four prohibitions conducted by Hindu on night shifting of Saka years are “Amati Geni” no fire or lamp though centers of electricity power in Bali was not turned off. Still, black out condition happened everywhere as for the people confined themselves in each of their house since early in the morning. At night, villages security officers or well-known as “pecalang” keep observing their own areas.

Bali on Nyepi becoming dark since all electricity along the street turned off, billboard lamp, household lamps for around 740.000 PLN consumers as well as with the offices lamps, all should be turned off.

It as has been reported by ANTARA press from several areas such as Denpasar, Marga Tabanan, Karangasem regency and Ngurah Rai Airport in Tuban as it is also in Kuta area.

Meanwhile, all hotels in Sanur, Kuta, Nusa Dua and other central tourism areas also reported minimized their lights as they tried not to let the light went through the window or spaces. Almost none of the lamp turned on, merely dark and silence atmosphere covered the Island of Thousand Temples as it was “dead island with no one inhabit” it. That condition added Hindu’s concern in conducting their Catur Brata Penyepian.

Amati Geni means no fire or light, according to the head Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) of Bali Province, Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana, in effect is part of clearing mind guiding with restraining from any fire of lust or greediness.

Hindu is obligated to obey the rule and none Hindu in Bali is encouraged to adapt with it, at least the light should not break through their house.

PT PLN Bali distribution – National Electricity Company Bali Area – according to the company Public Relationship chief, Agung Mastika state that on Nyepi day, they could not turned off the electricity since there are vital institutions such as hospitals that need never-ending electrical service.

Nyepi day which always fall every once in 420 days, beside not allowed people to turn on their lamp but there is also no activities prohibition (Amati Karya), no travelling (Amati Lelungan) as well as no fun or no indulgence in lust (Amati Lelanguan) for 24 hours.
Foreign tourists as well as domestics who are in the middle of holiday in Bali when Hindu celebrating their special days with a unique ways should also limit their activities. They only allowed to have activities inside hotel area where they stay in.

Dinner for the guests in hotel is made earlier than usual so that they would not find difficulties having their dinner in dark.
Foreign usually have no problem with no light rule when Nyepi day since they had been informed far before by the hotel management. Basically they just enjoy it since they hardly find that kind of uniqueness in other places. Hotels party eventually have no dispensations to turn on the lamp as well as use motor cycle in Nyepi day.

As it has been confirmed far with the local villagers in order to avoid unwanted things to be happened. Only in a force-full condition does the guest allowed to turn on the lamp.

Although there is no special treatment toward the guests stay in Bali when Nyepi, in fact, there are lot of foreign who enjoy Nyepi atmosphere in Bali. They arrived in Bali few days before Ngurah Rai airport closed cause occupancy rate in Badung, as an area of Bali tourism development center, still in a good condition.

The tourists when local people conducting their “Tapa Brata Penyepian” keep stay in their hotel and did not go anywhere. Hotel employees in another side had already stand by at their workplace to serve the guests. Those make the hotel guest could enjoy hotel view and atmosphere where they stay.

Overall, in Nyepi day, none of the tourists could leave hotel or find a hotel considering 24 hours closing of the solely international entrance into Bali, that is Ngurah Rai International airport had closed already.

News by Antara Bali