Mataram ready for Nyepi's Ogoh-ogoh parade

Several Hindu communities in Muslim majority Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, have begun making ogoh-ogoh (a giant papier-mache figure) for Nyepi, the Hindu day of silence.

This year, Nyepi is on March 12. On the day before Nyepi, an annual parades featuring the ogoh-ogoh is held on the city’s main streets: Pejanggik and Selaparan

With the number of ogoh-ogoh rising to about 300 from about 100 the previous year, the parade, which usually begins at around 2.30 p.m, will be an even bigger affair this year.

"This year the number of ogoh-ogoh is three times the previous year. The characters are varied and show differences between different ethnicities, cultures and religions," said I Nyoman Artha, head of the ogoh-ogoh council of Mataram.

Hindu people believe that life consists of negative and positive energies that live together with human and nature. Ogoh-ogoh is a symbol of Buta Kala or negative power. To prevent it from disturbing our lives, each ogoh-ogoh is named according to its form, such as disease, drugs, conflict, greed and corruption.

The symbols of the negative power are then paraded and then burned in the hope that Hindus can destroy Buta Kala inside themselves and become better people.

As in Bali, Lombok Hindus also perform a ceremony called Pecaruan or Pengerupukan the day before Nyepi. It's also called Tawur Kesanga since its held on Tilem Kesanga the ninth month in Bali's calendar.

The ceremony drives away the bad influence of Butha Kala or spirits living in human realm, harmonizing the whole universe until it feels like new again.

During the event, visitors can enjoy the lively rhythm of traditional Sasak music, such as gendang beleq (drum), cilokaq and kecimol.

Read also: Preparing for Nyepi in Bali