Image: Ogoh-Ogoh at Banjar Taman, Kerobokan. Credit: ST
Like previous years, Bali Polda will cooperate with the army (TNI), the pecalang and related parties to secure the Nyepi rituals, especially on Pangerupukan ceremony this evening. This year, there will be 35 thousand personnel assigned to secure Nyepi.
“We advise everyone who is celebrating Nyepi to focus on prayers. They should follow the rules from their religion and the government,” said the Head of Polda Bali Human Relations Section, Commissioner Hengky Widjaja to balipost.com on Tuesday evening.
He also advised all drivers to be careful because the streets would be crowded and they must follow the traffic lights and the traffic sign signals.
Meanwhile, for the ogoh-ogoh contestants, he advised everyone to respect each other. “Don’t bring any alcohol nor weapons. The Ogoh-ogoh parade will be held on Jalan Gatot Subroto because it will be safer to be held there. They will compete to win the Head of Bali Polda trophy,” he added.
Meanwhile, foreign tourists started to depart from Bali to avoid the Nyepi rituals since a few days ago. Many foreign tourists departed to Lombok in the last days via Serangan and Padang Bai Ports. Fast boat operators said to nusabali.com that they will serve travelers until Wednesday morning.
They said that most of the foreign tourists chose Gili Trawangan as their destination. “Most of them know about the Nyepi day ceremony in Bali and were trying to get out a few days,” said Yudi, from Blue Water Express fast boats. He also said that the movement has increased in the last two days.
[They obviously don’t know what they are missing. Selamat Hari Raya Nyepi to you all. Ed]
