Saraswati Day: Honoring the Goddess of Knowledge in Bali

Saraswati Day is one of the significant a holy day for Hindus in Bali. This celebration holds special meaning, particularly for those involved in the field of education such as students, teachers, lecturers, and other knowledge workers. In Hindu teachings, Saraswati Day is considered the day when sacred knowledge descends, believed to bring prosperity, progress, and increased understanding for humanity.

Meaning and Celebration

Saraswati Day is observed every six months on Saniscara (Saturday) Umanis Wuku Watugunung. On this day, Balinese Hindus celebrate with various special ceremonies and rituals. In schools, teachers and students prepare for worship ceremonies. They also perform prayers in temples, homes, and offices. Books, palm leaf manuscripts, and writing tools are placed in a special location for ceremonial offerings, symbolizing respect for the Goddess Saraswati.

Goddess Saraswati in Legend

In Hindu legend, Saraswati is depicted as the Goddess or wife of the God Brahma. She is the protector and bestower of knowledge, consciousness (widya), and literature. Thanks to the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, humans become knowledgeable, cultured, and civilized. Saraswati is often portrayed as a goddess sitting on a lotus flower, riding a swan (hamsa) or peacock. She has four arms holding a sitar or veena and a gayatri in her right hands, while her left hands hold a manuscript or book and play the veena.

Rituals and Traditions

On Saraswati Day, worship of Goddess Saraswati is performed only in the morning and afternoon, according to the Sundarigama manuscript. After ceremonies in schools, devotees continue their prayers in various places. This ritual underscores the importance of knowledge in daily life as a moral and spiritual foundation.

Banyupinaruh: Continuing the Celebration

The Saraswati Day celebration continues with Banyupinaruh, which falls on the following Sunday, during the wuku Sinta. Banyupinaruh marks the beginning of a new pawukon in the Balinese calendar. On this day, Balinese Hindus seek water sources such as the sea, campuhan (the confluence of fresh and sea water), or other water sources to perform Pengelukatan (melukat). This ritual involves cleansing oneself with water, symbolizing the purification of the soul with knowledge.

Saraswati Day is not just a religious celebration but also a tribute to knowledge and education. Through this observance, Balinese Hindus express gratitude and appreciation for the gift of knowledge bestowed by Goddess Saraswati. Thus, Saraswati Day becomes an important moment for reflection and strengthening the commitment to the development of knowledge and culture.