Saraswati Day, Bali's Knowledge Day

Dewi Saraswati Statue 

Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Saraswati is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. The learned and the erudite attach greater importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati. Hindus celebrate this festival with great fervor in temples, homes and educational institutes alike.

Knowledge is very important for human being. In Bali every Saniscara (Saturday), Umanis, Wuku Watugunung, they celebrate Saraswati Day, the knowledge day. The Balinese believes in this day all the knowledges are blessed to the human being. They celebrating by worshiping the Goddess of knowledge A.K.A Dewi Saraswati,  symbolized by a beautiful woman with four hands, riding on a white swan among the lotus to tell humanity that science is like a beautiful woman. The Lotus flower is the holiest for Balinese.

In the evening (saraswati night), called Malam Sastra, people read books (especially religious books) in their houses or in the temple.

Saraswati Day

Saraswati day itself is celebrated by the Balinese people bringing offerings to their holy books and scrolls in their houses, while students celebrate it at school, usually in the morning, and the office-workers in their office. The philosophy of Saraswati day is that the most important thing for human life is knowledge.

Banyu Pinaruh

The day after Saraswati Day is Banyu Pinaruh day. "Banyu" means water and "Pinaruh" mean wisdom. We pray for Dewi Saraswati (manifestation of God) to give us cleverness and wisdom. 

Soma Ribek

Two days after Saraswati Day, on Soma (or Monday), Pon, Wuku Sinta, is Soma Ribek day. The philosophy of Soma Ribek day is the third most important thing for human life is food and drink.

Sabuh Mas

Three days after Saraswati Day, on Anggara (or Tuesday), Wage, Wuku Sinta, is Sabuh Mas day. "Sabuh" means belt, and "Mas" mean gold. The philosophy of this celebration is that they must keep knowledge, health, food, cloth and gold high in their lives to keep the balance of the universe.