Gianyar Regency Maps Traffic Engineering to Minimise Congestion on Nyepi Eve

The Gianyar Regency Government in Bali, through its Department of Transport (Dishub), has mapped out traffic engineering measures at several key points to minimise congestion during the lead-up to Nyepi, the Day of Silence.

“All parties must anticipate potential crowds and ensure security and traffic management proceed smoothly,” said Gianyar Regent I Made Mahayastra whilst presiding over a traffic security preparation meeting for the Nyepi observance in Gianyar on Tuesday.

On the eve of Nyepi, known as Pengerupukan, Hindu followers perform the Tawur Agung Kesanga ceremony, a purification ritual for the self (Bhuwana Alit) and the universe (Bhuwana Agung).

The procession takes place from morning through midday in open spaces or at specific central points in rural and urban areas, as well as at various temples. The parade symbolises a reminder to followers that negative qualities, as represented in the ogoh-ogoh effigies, should be eliminated from human nature as they welcome the Saka Year 1948.

Nyepi, the Day of Silence, is observed on Thursday, 19 March, from 06:00 until Friday, 20 March, at 06:00 WITA (Central Indonesia Time).

The Regional Secretary of Gianyar, I Gusti Bagus Adi Widhya Utama, has also instructed all Regional Government Organisations (OPD) to coordinate with security forces, pecalang (customary village security officers), and other relevant agencies in security arrangements.

“Security measures in the lead-up to the evening takbir ceremony for Eid al-Fitr also need to be coordinated, given that the proximity of these religious observances requires cross-sector coordination,” he said.