In Reply to: Less Ogoh-ogoh this year? posted by islandsun on Saturday, 8. March 2014 at 20:06 Bali Time:
Yes there will be less, but there will still be enough around if you want to see them. Denpasar is the best place, but hard to get to due to traffic congestion. I was told that there will be some parade in Jl Legian (by someone from local Banjar). Ubud is a good place as well, they will parade them around close to the market and palace corner, then take them down to the soccer ground in Monkey Forest Rd.
The less bit, yes it is to do with the elections, the government have just "suggested" to cut back this year due to the elections being close'ish to Nyepi (31st March). But the Balinese will still make them - still part of their culture and beliefs, so that will never stop.
So why cut back ? .. it's because of some of the young guys betting a bit agitated with each other at these parades - one group backs one political group, and another group backs another political group. So clashes can happen .. and part of this is also because some political groups have donated to making the big scary Ogoh Ogoh's (for their supporters), and others for others ... so there ends up being a bit of a 'mines bigger and better than yours' kind of thing, and 'look at what our political group has done' etc etc .... just trying to outdo each other, so tempers can flare. Some can be kept, but most are then burnt on the night of Nyepi eve.
If you are lucky enough to see some, enjoy !
Have a nice quiet 31st March !
Regards, Geoff