Part of the Nyepi 2012 celebration

Nyepi Day is a celebration of the Hindu people worldwide, as well as in Bali. One of the most awaited celebration of Nyepi in Bali is Ogoh-ogoh. Ogoh-ogoh is a large sculpture made by the people of Bali which described the evil spirits that are around us. Ogoh-ogoh will be paraded one day before Nyepi celebration.

Nyepi day itself is a feast of new year of Saka, the Hindu new year. Nyepi is a symbol of the self-cleaning, while welcoming the new year, all things must be cleaned, Hindus should do the self reflection or meditation for 24 hours straight. therefor what makes every day of Nyepi hindu religious people are required to stay home and run the 4 rules during Nyepi which are: should not start a fire, should not work, should not be traveling and there should be no noise or entertainment. Nyepi in 2012, on a Friday, on March 23, 2012 and the Ogoh-ogoh will parade the day before, which is March 22, 2012.

This year, baliwonderful team choose to follow the making of Ogoh-ogoh of Banjar anyar Kuta. Last year the Ogoh-ogoh is contested between each banjar in every single village temple, but for this year Ogoh-ogoh is only for parade not a competition . Although this year is not contested, but the committee made the initiative to involve visitors and tourists to choose which Ogoh-ogoh is their  favorite.

Preparing Ogoh-ogoh in Banjar Anyar Kuta

Painting the Ogoh-ogoh

Denu Bli Sentani, as chairman of the committee Ogoh-ogoh parade this year to explained to us, long ago Ogoh-ogoh paraded on a day before Nyepi to the beach and a day after Nyepi all ogoh-ogoh was burned as a symbol of destruction of evil spirits. But with the growth in time, ogoh-ogoh this time made with materials and technical information that is quite expensive (sterofom, wood and iron) compared to earlier times (bamboo and paper), that make Ogoh-ogoh will be stored in every banjar for a collection.

Rayunan Agung, one day before Nyepi ceremony

FInal Rehearsal

Ogoh-ogoh parade

On the date of March 22, 2012, at around 2 pm, ogoh ogoh start paraded towards Legian street to be exhibited and displayed there. There are about 13 banjar in the village of Kuta is that it sends their creation of ogoh-ogoh. With a variety of shapes, concepts and themes Ogoh-ogoh managed to make tourists fascinated. That time Legian street was like a street carnival in Brazil, 13 large ogoh ogoh and 13 small-ogoh ogoh covering the streets. After about 4 hours ogoh-ogoh display at Legian street and then paraded to the village temple at about 7 pm and then marched to the beach.

For those who have never come to ogoh-ogoh parade, you may regret. Please come  to Bali on Nyepi day next year.

Here are photos of coverage of Ogoh-ogoh parade in the village of Kuta.

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One of Ogoh-ogoh

Banjar-Anyar's Ogoh-ogoh, ready to parade

Afternoon ceremony at the Ogoh-ogoh parade

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