A Picture of Harmony in Jembrana: Melasti Procession Navigates through Mudik Traffic at Gilimanuk
A unique sight unfolded on the main Denpasar-Gilimanuk route towards Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana Regency, Bali, today. Amid thousands of homebound vehicles creating lengthy queues, fourteen traditional villages in Melaya District maintained their solemn observance of the Melasti ceremony, part of the sacred Nyepi Day observances.
According to detikBali’s monitoring at the location on Monday (16 March 2026), thirteen traditional villages conducted purification processions of sacred worship facilities (pratima) simultaneously at Candikusuma Beach’s shoreline. Meanwhile, Gilimanuk Traditional Village held its procession at the Samiana Environment shoreline.
This moment captured the attention of homebound travellers stuck in vehicle queues heading to the port. Many were observed recording the sacred procession using mobile phones from within their vehicles.
To ensure the procession proceeded smoothly without worsening traffic congestion, police implemented special traffic management. The Melasti procession was directed along the national road towards Denpasar under strict escort from the Melaya area onwards.
Melaya Police Chief Kompol I Ketut Sukadana stated that nearly all his personnel were deployed to secure the procession, from the gathering point at Melaya Market through to Tukadaya.
“Personnel from each traditional village, called pecalang, were also mobilised for traffic coordination in collaboration with us. Security was maintained throughout the entire route until the procession returned from the sea to each village temple,” Sukadana explained when met by detikBali on Monday.
I Ketut Ardana, Head of Pecalang Security of Gilimanuk Traditional Village, explained that the Melasti ceremony coinciding with the mudik traffic represented the second time they had experienced this situation. Utilising experience from the previous year, cross-sectoral coordination was carried out more comprehensively.
“We used the right-hand lane from the Denpasar direction for the Melasti procession to avoid disrupting the homebound route towards Java. We deployed 23 Gilimanuk Traditional Village pecalang personnel, assisted also by the military and police,” Ardana explained.
Ardana confirmed that the Melasti procession in the Gilimanuk area proceeded safely and smoothly. He emphasised that the spirit of tolerance was key to ensuring that religious observances and the annual Lebaran homecoming tradition could proceed side by side.
“The procession has proceeded smoothly. Mudik and Melasti can occur without inconveniencing anyone,” Ardana concluded.