A total of 223 ogoh-ogoh in Denpasar will take part in Kasanga Festival 2026 competition, with judging set to begin on February 23 to determine the top 16 finalists.
Field assessments will continue until February 26, 2026.
Chairman of the traditional youth organization Pasikian Yowana in Denpasar, Anak Agung Made Angga Harta Yana, explained that this year’s judging process will involve direct visits to each banjar (community group).
“Technical preparations are complete. The jury team, consisting of practitioners, cultural experts, and philosophy academics, will evaluate based on aesthetics, cultural values, and philosophical meaning,” said Angga on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Different Judging Mechanism
As the first stage, the four-member jury team will begin in East Denpasar, which has the largest number of participants (67).
Judging session will then move to South Denpasar (56 participants), West Denpasar (52), and conclude in North Denpasar (48).
This year’s judging mechanism has slightly changed. Unlike previous years where initial assessments included lifting the ogoh-ogoh, this time the evaluation will focus on the static artwork at its site. Performance aspects will be judged later when finalists parade at Catur Muka area.
Funding Support for Participants
To ensure the success of this cultural event, the Denpasar City Government has allocated IDR 7.5 billion (around USD 442,500) in funding, which will be distributed to more than 300 youth organizations participating in the ogoh-ogoh competition.
The amount matches last year’s funding, with each organization receiving IDR 20 million (around USD 1,180) to prepare their ogoh-ogoh.
Additionally, the Denpasar City Government has prepared prize money for six winners totaling IDR 165 million (around USD 9,735).
“For the first prize, we will award IDR 50 million, second prize IDR 40 million, and third prize IDR 30 million,” said Raka Purwantara, Head of Denpasar’s Cultural Office.
Meanwhile, consolation prizes will be given as follows: IDR 20 million for first runner-up, IDR 15 million for second runner-up, and IDR 10 million for third runner-up.
Kasanga Festival, held ahead of the Nyepi holiday, is scheduled to take place on March 6–8, 2026, spanning the Catur Muka area to Puputan Badung I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung Square.
Sources : Tribun-Bali
Feat Image : Regional Secretariat of Denpasar City Government