Did you miss the awe-inspiring Ogoh-Ogoh parades this year during Nyepi in Bali? Whether you were there or not, you can still experience a slice of that magic. The Ogoh-Ogoh exhibition at Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park is open until May 10th, 2025, offering visitors a rare chance to marvel at these towering, fearsome statues that play a key role in one of Bali’s most captivating traditions.
The Ogoh-Ogoh exhibition at Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park is open until May 10th, 2025
Ogoh-Ogoh: Bali’s Night of Myth, Magic, and Cleansing
The night before Nyepi—Bali’s sacred Day of Silence—is known as Pengrupukan, when communities across the island take to the streets with Ogoh-Ogoh, giant demonic effigies made of bamboo, paper, and modern materials. These artistic monsters represent negative forces, and after the parade, are usually ritually burned (Pralina) to cleanse the island of evil spirits and inner turmoil.
But at GWK Cultural Park, some of these incredible effigies have been spared the flames, allowing visitors to take a closer look at the artistry, symbolism, and spiritual power behind them.
Experience Ogoh-Ogoh Up Close at GWK Cultural Park
Home to the iconic Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, which dominates the skyline from miles away—including from planes landing at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport—GWK is a modern cultural hub that celebrates Balinese heritage through immersive experiences.
Now until May 10th, 2025, the park is hosting an exhibition featuring a curated selection of Ogoh-Ogoh effigies from various villages, showcasing the diversity and depth of Balinese creativity. These pieces reflect a wide range of mythologies, moral lessons, and artistic techniques, with some statues featuring vivid lighting, kinetic elements, and complex construction.
A Phenomenal Year for Ogoh-Ogoh Innovation in 2025
While not on display at GWK, this year’s Ogoh-Ogoh Parade was one for the history books. Communities across Bali outdid themselves with incredible designs, storytelling, and even engineering. Here are a few legendary entries that lit up the 2025 Pengrupukan celebrations:
Bibianu by ST Canti Graha, Sesetan – Famed for its hydraulic-powered movements and a dramatic, well-told theatrical story. This statue blurred the line between puppetry and performance art.
Tattwaning Kalisangara by ST Yowana Pratyaksa, Nusa Dua – An architectural marvel, featuring a massive demon balanced delicately atop another—using just the fingertips. A stunning feat of balance and imagination.
Tulak Tunggul by ST Sentana Luhur, Tampaksiring – Turned heads with its anatomically precise form, resembling a living, breathing being more than a mythic effigy.
Ki Ai Nirnur by ST Gemeh Indah – Widely acclaimed as the crown jewel of this year’s Ogoh-Ogoh, this creation, conceptualized by Marmar Herayukti, embodied modern fears of AI technology through a meticulous and gallant design.
Though these masterpieces were part of various parades and competitions across Bali—including the Kesanga Fest in Denpasar and the Singasana Festival in Tabanan—they are not part of the GWK display.
Where Else to See Ogoh-Ogoh This Year?
If you're eager to see more after visiting GWK, make your way to the Saka Museum at Ayana Estate, which is hosting an exhibition titled "Walking Among the Giants"—featuring 10 Ogoh-Ogoh created by local Balinese artists, offering another deep dive into this fascinating tradition.
Ogoh-Ogoh are more than parade props—they’re moving works of spiritual art that tell stories about good and evil, tradition and transformation. This is your chance to see them up close, before they disappear. Visit GWK Cultural Park before May 10th to take in the powerful presence of Bali’s mythological giants and experience the soul of the island through one of its most thrilling traditions!
