Mallika Dureja
The Monster Parade is a Bali event that is well-liked by people all around the world. Weeks prior to the start of the Balinese New Year celebration, people will start putting together the magnificent ogohs, which are enormous mortar representations of evil presences that are painted in vibrant hues. They will be assisted through the streets on bamboo stages that resemble parade glides on the eve of Nyepi.
The young people will walk in front of the amazing beasts with their lights and smaller ogoh creatures, followed by women carrying flags and men playing drums, while others press the large gongs on haggling cymbals for the audible sound of the gamelan. The majority of ogoh monsters have different heads and arms, carry swords or pitchforks, and are depicted fighting deities or attacking blameless women.
Highlights: Some incorporate contemporary themes, such as the appearance of devils or legends on bicycles or surfboards while sipping Bintang beer. At dusk, one can see the group of boulevards packed with people, and the ogohs from every town have gathered at the intersection to perform and compete for the jury’s votes and the biggest applause from the bystanders.
