"As darkness enveloped the village of Lukluk in Bali’s Badung on Wednesday, the streets transformed into a chaotic spectacle. Footage from that night captured towering monsters with bulging eyes and razor-sharp fangs parading through the streets, hoisted by chanting villagers amid the rhythms of Balinese dance and music. These are the Ogoh-Ogoh - giant papier-mache demon effigies that herald the explosive eve of Nyepi, the island’s ‘Day of Silence.’ Traditional leader I Made Suarta explained, “The Ogoh-Ogoh represents Buto Kalo (a ghost). Here, ‘Buto’ signifies darkness and ‘Kalo’ symbolises time, embodying the period of darkness experienced by humans. This ritual aims to destroy or neutralise that darkness, occurring on the night of Pengerupukan before Hindus observe Nyepi.” “We parade the Ogoh-Ogoh through the village to eradicate all negative energy. After the procession, we burn them; doing so signifies the removal of all negative energy,” added village chief I Nyiman Ndika. Crafted by villagers, each Ogoh-Ogoh is a testament to community artistry. Constructed from bamboo, paper, and vibrant paint, these fearsome sculptures embody malevolent spirits and demonic figures from Hindu mythology. Neighbourhoods engage in fierce competition to create the most terrifying effigy, complete with intricate details that inspire awe and fear. According to local tradition, the night before Nyepi, the ‘monsters’ are paraded through the streets to the sound of resounding traditional music. Participants spin and whirl the effigies chaotically, believing that the clamour confuses evil spirits and captures them within the giant forms. The procession intensifies, in sharp contrast to the profound stillness that awaits at dawn. The climax arrives as the Ogoh-Ogoh are ignited in open fields, their crackling flames consuming the demons in a powerful ritual of purification. As the fire reduces the monsters to ash, observers believe that the accumulated negative energies and evil spirits of the past year are banished forever, cleansing the island for a new beginning. This fiery exorcism paves the way for Nyepi, which commences at sunrise. For a full 24 hours, Bali descends into complete silence, with no lights, no work, and even the airport closing."