Jakarta, March 29, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Prabowo Subianto extended his heartfelt greetings to Indonesian Hindus as they observed Nyepi, the Day of Silence, marking the beginning of the 1947 Balinese saka year.
“May Sang Hyang Widi Wasa (the Supreme God) always bless and enlighten every step of the people and present peace and harmony in life to all,” the president expressed in his Nyepi message, which was shared on Saturday via the official presidential Instagram account @presidenrepublikindonesia.
On his personal Instagram account @prabowo, he also conveyed his wishes that Hindus across Indonesia receive blessings, peace, and protection from the Supreme God. His message was accompanied by an image depicting Balinese temples, symbolizing the spiritual essence of the occasion.
Nyepi, which marks the new year in the Balinese saka calendar, is a sacred day of silence, fasting, and meditation for self-purification. In Bali, the island comes to a complete standstill, with Hindus refraining from travel, work, noise, and the use of fire and lights. The observance is similarly upheld by Hindus in other regions of Indonesia.
In recognition of the solemnity of Nyepi, Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport suspended its operations for 24 hours, permitting only emergency flights. Additionally, all ports in Bali, including Gilimanuk Port, which connects the island to East Java, remained closed for the day.
Nyepi serves as a time for deep reflection and renewal, reinforcing the values of harmony, spirituality, and inner peace among Indonesia’s Hindu community.
