Authorities said Karl Adolf Amrhein, 57, was spotted walking along a main road in Sukawati village at around 7 a.m. on March 19, during Nyepi, New York Post reported.

Security officers took him into custody, noting that he allegedly pretended to be mute and repeatedly asked to be released while at the police station.

During questioning, Amrhein told officials he had been searching for new accommodation after being asked to leave his previous hotel in Ubud due to an expired visa.

Police later escorted him to a nearby villa and issued a warning against further breaches, Australian news site 9News reported.

Nyepi, one of Bali’s most important spiritual observances rooted in Hindu tradition, is dedicated to reflection, meditation and purification. The island, where Hinduism is practiced by the majority of residents, comes to a near-complete standstill for 24 hours each year to mark the occasion.

Strict rules are enforced across the island as streets fall silent, lights and entertainment are banned, and all forms of transport, including flights, are halted. The restrictions apply to everyone, regardless of nationality or religion, with only emergency services allowed to operate.

Tourists are required to stay inside their accommodations throughout the day. Hotels typically brief guests on the regulations, with some offering limited, low-key services such as quiet dining, while others enforce full in-room stays with food delivery.