The annual Kasanga Festival in Denpasar has officially begun, celebrating the art of crafting traditional Ogoh-Ogoh statues. Out of 264 submitted figures, the judges have selected the top 16, which will take center stage at the Kasanga Festival 2025 on March 21 at Lapangan Puputan Badung Park.
To prevent traffic congestion during the festival, the Denpasar government has set up five parking areas and six shuttle services. The parking locations include:
• Graha Yovana Suci underground parking
• Grand Lucky on Sutoyo Street (under consideration)
Parade and Event Schedule
• March 21, 16:00 - 00:00 → Ogoh-Ogoh parade and awards ceremony
• 16:15 → Opening ceremony
• 22:15 - 23:55 → Live music performances & DJs
• 11:00 → Road closures begin (important for those traveling to the airport)
The judging panel spent four days reviewing all Ogoh-Ogoh entries from different districts of Denpasar. This year, instead of selecting winners by district, the 16 best figures were chosen from across the entire city. The main criteria for selection were detail, creativity, and adherence to tradition.
Recycling Innovation in Ogoh-Ogoh Art
One of the most innovative entries came from South Denpasar, where young artists transformed waste materials into a stunning Ogoh-Ogoh statue. The 700 kg giant figure was built using glass waste (jars, bottles), rotting wood, pumice stone, and tree roots. The construction process took about three months.
Festival Competitions and Prizes
During the Kasanga Festival (March 21-23), the top 6 Ogoh-Ogoh statues will be chosen from the 16 finalists. The winners will receive cash prizes:
• 1st place: 50 million IDR
• 2nd place: 40 million IDR
• 3rd place: 30 million IDR
Additionally, three statues in the “Most Promising” category will also be awarded:
• 1st place: 20 million IDR
• 2nd place: 15 million IDR
• 3rd place: 10 million IDR
Beyond the Ogoh-Ogoh parade, the festival will also feature:
• Mini Ogoh-Ogoh competitions
• Art and drawing contests
• Dance battles
• Photo & video competitions
• Evening music performances & DJ sets
One fan-favorite Ogoh-Ogoh will also be chosen by audience vote, with the winner receiving a motorcycle.
Judging Criteria and Festival Rules
Judge Komang Indra Wirawan stated that 80% of the score will be based on the statue itself, while 20% will come from the performance. Late arrivals at Puputan (the parade venue) will face an automatic 25% deduction in their score. Statues that are incomplete or missing elements will be disqualified.
Unusual Incident: Vandal Faces Jail Time
A strange incident involving a missing element recently occurred in North Denpasar. A man broke off the arm of an Ogoh-Ogoh statue belonging to a local village. He was identified through CCTV footage and now faces a three-month prison sentence for vandalism.
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