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| Saraswati |
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Hindu people in Bali commemorate
Saraswati Day (Piodalan Saraswati)
which is the day to worship God as source of the
knowledge. In this particular celebration, God is
manifested as Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of
knowledge. Saraswati Day is celebrated every 210-days
on Saniscara Umanis Wuku Watugunung based on the
Pawukon (Balinese almanac)
system and the Saniscara (seven
day cycle).
 Goddess
Saraswati is the wife of Brahma who is described
as a beautiful woman with four hands, sitting on
lotus flowers, next to a white swan. Lotus flowers
are symbols of holiness while white swan symbolizes
wisdom, meaning that one's knowledge may distinguish
between good and evil. One of her left hands holds
a palm leaf book which symbolizes the source of
science or knowledge. One of her right hands hold
a meditation bead chain which symbolizes that knowledge
never ends and has an everlasting life cycle. While
her other hands hold a musical instrument (sitar)
which symbolizes that science expands through the
growth of culture.
Similar to other religious ceremonies in Bali, Saraswati
Day also has various religious steps before and
after the actual day. The series of ceremonies to
commemorate Saraswati Day indicate the importance
of knowledge to human life. The more knowledge people
have, the wiser they should be in speech, thought
and deed. |
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| Pemelastali, Paid Paidan, Urip,
Patetegan, and Pengeredanaan |
| Six days before Saraswati is called
Pemelastali, a day to free ourselves from worldly
desire. Four, three, and two days before Saraswati
are called Paid Paidan, Urip and Patetegan, the
days to control desire and do introspection. One
day before Saraswati is called Pengeredanaan, a
day of preparation both spiritually and physically.
On this day, all the books are collected, cleaned
and placed in proper places. Special offerings are
made to be used for Saraswati Day celebration. |
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 Saraswati
On Saraswati Day, from morning to evening, Balinese
people perform ceremonies to worship Goddess Saraswati
who has delivered knowledge to human beings for
the sake of their prosperity and happiness. The
philosophy of Saraswati Day is knowledge, which
is the most important thing for human life. They
bring offerings to their holy books in their houses,
while students celebrate it at school, usually in
the morning, and the office-workers in their office.
Some people would not sleep all night. They would
perform some activities that have relationship with
Saraswati Day, like singing a holy song and meditation.
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| Banyu Pinaruh |
| A day after Saraswati Day is called
Banyu Pinaruh. The word Banyu Pinaruh is derived
from Banyu which means water and Pinaruh which means
wisdom. In other words, people must have wisdom
that always flows like water and useful for human
kind. The philosophy of Banyu Pinaruh Day is good
health, which is the second most important thing
for human life. On this day, most of people go to
the nearby beach, lake, water spring, or river and
have a swim or a bath to purify their body and soul.
Some take a bath with Toya Kumkum (water
mixed with flowers), and drink traditional
medicine (loloh) made
from various leaves which is very good for our health.
Together with their family, they then pray for pure
knowledge and wisdom. |
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| Soma Ribek |
| Two days after Saraswati Day is
called Soma Ribek. The word Soma Ribek is derived
from Soma which means Monday and Ribek which means
full. On this day, Balinese people bring offerings
to the rice box. They thank God for food and beverage
in their lives and pray to Dewi Sri (Goddess
of Prosperity) for prosperity. The philosophy
of Soma Ribek Day is food and beverage, which is
the third most important thing for human life. |
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| Pagerwesi |
Four days after Saraswati Day is
called Pagerwesi Day which is the second biggest
holiday after Galungan Day for the Balinese people.
The word Pagerwesi is derived from Pager which means
fence and Wesi which means iron. On this day, Balinese
people pray to Sang Hyang Pramesti Guru (God)
and give offerings to the temple in their home (Sanggah)
and to all their temples.
The philosophy of this celebration is that people
must put knowledge, health, food, cloth and gold
high in their lives to keep the universe in balance. |
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