Balinese Hindus Commemorate Seclusion Day

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Traditional security personnel in Bali, known as the "pecalang," monitored the situation during the Hindu Day of Seclusion to ensure that it progressed smoothly on Saturday.

On the holy day known locally as "Nyepi," Hindus in Bali stopped work and other physical activities, switched off the lights and avoided travel, as well as any other kind of entertainment and fun activities for 24 hours and used this time for reflection.

Nyepi has been declared a national holiday out of respect for the Hindu community across the country.

At the Monang-Maning public housing estate, around 2,000 residents from various ethnic and religious groups remained silent, with all the residents staying indoors out of respect for the holy day.

All access roads and alleys into the area were deserted and empty with only few pecalangs seen standing guard at the entrances.

The Chief of the Cemara Agung hamlet at the Monang-Maning residential area, I Putu Galung, said he had coordinated for the Seclusion Day commemoration security with the residents and also involved inter-faith figures to handle any cases of violations.

Pecalangs were deployed across Bali to ensure the smooth observance of the ritual and also to help those facing an emergency, such as a resident who had to go to a hospital to deliver a baby or to get medical service.

No motor vehicles were allowed to hit the streets on that day and provincial, district as well as the city administration gave no special treatment to anyone, except in the case of an emergency.

The Bali regional police command spokesman Senior Commissioner Hery Wiyanto said the police had worked to together with Pecalang to assure security during the day. (WDY)