TEMPO.CO, Denpasar - Hundreds of giant puppets, locally known as Ogoh-ogoh, created by youth community Sekaa Teruna will be featured at Ngrupuk Parade in Denpasar, Bali, Friday, March 16, ahead of Hindu Day of Silence or Nyepi.

Denpasar’s National and Political Unity (Kesbangpol) head Komang Sugiarta explained as many as 688 Ogoh-ogoh in four districts are ready to be marched on tonight before the Nyepi Day on March 17.

Sugiarta expected the number of Ogoh-ogoh might be more than the registered as people highly enthusiast in commemorating Nyepi. “Tonight the giant puppets will be paraded in every Catus Pata or village crossroad all over Denpasar,” he said.

Read: Java Bali Ferry Line Closed for Hindu Day of Silence

Many officers assigned to maintain the cleanliness during the parade. “So that during Nyepi, Denpasar city stays neat and clean,” said Denpasar Environment and Sanitation Agency (DLHK) head Ketut Wisada.

The officers were authorized to clear the city from the trash of the festival before the holy Day of Silence starting on Saturday, March 17 at 06:00 local time. The officers will re-operate in Ngembak Geni when social activity runs as usual on Sunday, March 18 a day after Nyepi at 06:00 WITA (Central Indonesian Time).

The parade also scheduled in Gianyar. “At least 21 Ogoh-ogoh will enliven the parade,” said Gianyar’s Tegalalang Village Official Made Jaya Kesuma when met in Tegalalang Thursday night.

According to Made Jaya, the parade in his village is different than other cities which fall on Nyepi eve. “We hold the Ogoh-ogoh parade earlier,” he stated.

A day before the silence day, he went on, Pecaruan ritual is performed to vanquish negative elements so that Nyepi will be at peace.

Edward, a Germany tourist, said he was excited to witness Ogoh-ogoh parade ahead of Nyepi. “The parade is an interesting and unique ritual,” he stated.

ANTARA