TABANAN, DEWATA.NEWS – Farmers in Jatiluwih, Penebel District, temporarily halted all agricultural activities for two days from March 29 to March 30, 2026, as part of the traditional Nyepi Sawah ritual.
The ritual is a long-standing practice aimed at maintaining harmony in agricultural areas. During its observance, no farming activities are allowed in the rice fields across the area.
Jatiluwih Tourist Attraction (DTW) Manager I Ketut Purna explained that Nyepi Sawah is performed to neutralize negative forces in the fields and ensure better harvest outcomes.
“For two days, no activities are allowed in the rice fields,” he said.
The ritual is held five times a year, covering approximately 227.41 hectares of farmland. Its schedule follows the rice cultivation cycle. Three ceremonies are conducted during the planting phase of red rice, while two take place during the early growth stage of the crops.
The ritual begins with nunas tirta, a process of seeking holy water, followed by prayers at Pura Pucak Petali and Pura Candikuning, which are key temples for the local subak irrigation system. Additional ceremonies are also carried out at Pura Bedugul and smaller field temples within each subak area.
“The goal is Nangkluk Merana, which means eliminating negative elements in the fields,” Purna added.
While farming activities are suspended, tourism operations in Jatiluwih remain open. However, visitors are restricted to designated trekking paths and are not allowed to enter the rice field embankments during the ritual period.
Nyepi Sawah has been practiced for generations by Jatiluwih farmers and was formally documented as early as 1933. The ritual is also recorded in the traditional manuscript Lontar Dharma Pemaculan, which serves as a guideline for traditional farming practices in Bali.
For international visitors, the ritual highlights how cultural and agricultural traditions remain closely integrated in Bali, even in areas recognized as major tourist destinations.