Giant statues of mythological creatures were displayed in Bali, Indonesia, on Sunday 12 March.

The statues of gods, demons and other Hindu characters will be shown off in Ngrupuk parades the day before Nyepi, the day of silence later this month.

Ahead of those parades, some of the island's best 'Ogoh-ogoh' statues were put on display in a competition that drew crowds of local and visiting admirers.

The event also featured Balinese music and dancing. It was the first of its kind since pandemic restrictions were lifted.

The Ogoh-ogoh are made from bamboo, paper and other materials. They each represent an evil or darkness that needs to be exorcised and expelled from the community.

The process of making Ogoh-ogoh involves the entire local community, from selecting the theme to crafting the statue.

Every village or subdistrict usually has an Ogoh-ogoh team consisting of local youth who work together to create the biggest and most beautiful statue.

The statues are displayed in Ngrupuk parades the day before Nyepi. The processions are usually accompanied by traditional Balinese music and dance as well as light decorations and fireworks.

The parades end in open fields where the statues are burned, representing the destruction of evil.

The unique tradition has been part of Balinese culture for centuries but was also once under threat.

In the 1980s, Balinese Hindus were losing their identity due to modernisation. In response they revived ancient customs, including the Ogoh-ogoh. Today the statues attract both local and international visitors.

The statue-making tradition not only preserves Balinese culture but also promotes community involvement and togetherness.

OGOH-OGOH is a gigantic statue made from bamboo, paper, and other recycled materials. It is traditionally prepared for the Nyepi Day celebration in Bali, Indonesia. The statue usually takes the form of a mythological creature such as a god or demon from Hindu stories, representing evil or darkness that needs to be exorcised and expelled from the community.

The process of making OGOH-OGOH involves the entire local community, from selecting the theme, designing, to crafting the statue. Every village or subdistrict usually has an OGOH-OGOH team consisting of local youth. They work together to create the biggest and most beautiful OGOH-OGOH.

OGOH-OGOH is then displayed in a procession, where the giant statue is paraded around the village or subdistrict on the night before Nyepi Day. During the procession, OGOH-OGOH is accompanied by traditional Balinese music and dance, decorated with lights and fireworks. The procession ends in an open field where OGOH-OGOH is burned as a symbol of destroying evil and darkness.

OGOH-OGOH is a rich and unique tradition that has been a part of Balinese culture for centuries. This tradition not only showcases beautiful art but also teaches moral and social values to Balinese society.

The origin of OGOH-OGOH dates back to the 1980s when the Balinese Hindus were facing the threat of losing their identity due to the influence of modernization. In response to this threat, the Balinese Hindus decided to revive their ancient traditions and customs, including the OGOH-OGOH tradition.

Today, OGOH-OGOH has become an important part of Balinese culture and tourism. It attracts both local and international visitors who come to witness the enchanting procession and participate in the celebration of Nyepi Day.

The OGOH-OGOH tradition not only preserves Balinese culture but also promotes the importance of community involvement and togetherness. The process of creating OGOH-OGOH involves the whole community, strengthening social bonds and promoting a sense of unity.

In conclusion, OGOH-OGOH is not only a beautiful display of art and culture but also a representation of the Balinese people's identity and their struggle to preserve their tradition in the face of modernization. It is a tradition that should be celebrated and appreciated for its values and beauty.