KASANGA Festival is held again this year, namely on March 1-3, 2024 at the Puputan Badung I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung Field, Denpasar. The opening held on March 1 afternoon successfully amazed Balinese people and tourists.
The opening of the Kasanga Festival 2024 was enlivened by a parade of the 12 best ogoh-ogoh and 12 ogoh-ogoh of early age students from four sub-districts in Denpasar City. On average, the participants presented their best works by telling unique stories related to Hindu mythology. This preserves Balinese culture and is an effort to instill a love of Balinese culture from an early age.
What does mean Kasanga? It is a Balinese vocabulary meaning ‘the ninth’ that refers to the ninth month (or Sasih Kasanga) in Balinese calendar. The ninth month is identical to the implementation of Tawur ritual in welcoming the Nyepi or Day of Silence that will fall on the following day, namely the first day of the tenth month (Sasih Kedasa) of the Caka New Year.
The spectators looked so enthusiastic to watch this ogoh-ogoh parade. They did not hesitate to capture the moment with their cellphone cameras. In fact, quite a few groups of foreign tourists also attended to enjoy the excitement of this unique festival to welcome the Nyepi celebration of the Caka New Year 1946.
The Kasanga Festival did not only feature an ogoh-ogoh parade, but is also enlivened by an artistic mini ogoh-ogoh competition which was attended by 39 participants as well as an ogoh-ogoh sketch competition. This event was held in the field area. Visitors ranging from children to the elderly are very interested in watching every ogoh-ogoh displayed.
Well, what is no less interesting is the presence of many local Denpasar MSME stands which pamper visitors with their various superior products including culinary offerings such as food and drinks in the Puputan Badung Square area.
Apart from providing entertainment with musical performances, the Kasanga Festival is also expected to be an event to preserve Balinese culture and develop the creativity of the younger generation.
