Single photo of a couple strolling the beach in Bali could get them in big trouble during Nyepi

Australians visiting Bali are warned that basic activities such as leaving your accommodation could land you in hot water during a particularly important day on the island.

Nyepi, or Balinese ‘Day of Silence’, is commemorated every year and requires everyone on the island, including tourists, to stay home, limit noise and even turn off lights for 24 hours or face fines.

The day coincides with New Year’s Day on the Balinese Saka calendar, although the actual date varies. In 2024 it was held on March 11.

Balinese locals take the day very seriously, with traditional security men known as Pecalang being the only people allowed on the streets, beaches and in businesses as they look for those who break the rules.

A screenshot shared to the Bali Travel Forum Facebook group yesterday caused an uproar among members as it showed two people simply walking on the beach, which is generally not allowed on Nyepi.

‘I just looked at the webcam I was monitoring and was surprised to see a couple walking on the beach. I didn’t think that was allowed today,” they wrote in the post.

Traditional security personnel known as pecalang patrol the streets of Nyepi

The post received a flood of responses from locals and tourists alike.

‘Officially not allowed. No respect,” one person wrote.

‘They should know. If they were definitely staying in a hotel or Airbnb, they would have been informed about what not to do on Nyepi Day,” another added.

‘I’m pretty sure they’re well aware of it. Wouldn’t they wonder why they are the only two people running around in places where there would normally be crowds?’ said a third.

“Pecalang will catch them soon,” another added.

One even claimed that: ‘Two Last year people were deported for going to the beach.’

However, others sided with the two people on the beach.

“I would hate to have been your neighbor during the lockdowns,” said one.

“I mean no disrespect or disrespect to the culture, but this couple is outside in a serene setting, not using their phones or playing music,” another added.

“Maybe they didn’t realize they had to stay inside… and weren’t being deliberately disrespectful. Inform and educate instead of just judging.’

What would be a normal busy beach during Nyepi (left) and the pecalang (right) that can bring rule breakers to the police

The Balinese have been adhering to Hindu tradition for hundreds of years. It represents a cleansing of the island in preparation for the coming year.

Other festivals take place in the days leading up to it, including the Melasti, which represents a new purification in which thousands of white-clad locals carry sacred objects from the temples to the sea to be purified.

On the night before Nyepi, the Ngrupuk takes place, where huge papier-mâché monsters made by locals are paraded through the streets before being burned to ashes to represent their defeat.

In the days leading up to the Balinese Day of Silence there are a number of other festivals including Melasti, where sacred objects from temples are cleansed into the ocean

Hindu worshipers parade ogoh-ogoh figures during Ngrupuk on the night before Nyepi and make noise to attract evil spirits, who find the island deserted the next day and leave

The main restrictions on Nyepi are that no fires are allowed to be lit and the lights must be kept off or dimmed, no work is allowed, no travel is allowed and no traveling is allowed.

Businesses and schools will close that day and everyone on the island must stay in their home or accommodation.

The airport will also close and planes will be diverted to avoid causing excessive noise.

ATMs will go offline, and as long as the electricity remains on, internet access may be limited.

Loud talking and music are also discouraged, as locals usually use the day to meditate, fast and enjoy the company of their families.

Anyone, including tourists, who leaves their home or accommodation on that day could be fined 1 million rupiah.

Nyepi lasts 24 hours, from 6am on Saka New Year to 6am the next day.