Saraswati day, Appreciation to the Goddess of Knowledge
Saturday, (dates are TBA) when you are in Bali, you can be
a witness of a religious ceremony called 'Piodalan Saraswati'
or Saraswati Day. Hindu's followers in Bali celebrate Saraswati
Day, the day to worship God in his manifestation as the master
of all knowledge, every six moths which's based on Balinese
calendar, called pawukon on Saniscara Umanis Watugunung. This
is a time to give their great honor to the goddess of knowledge.
Most of students in Bali will be busy performing the ceremony
at school, college and their houses. They arrange their books
and put them on the table like an altar and offerings are made
to them, as their respect, they would not touch and read their
books from morning until evening.
Before Saraswati Day there are several important days, which
are also considered to be meaningful to purify or to prepare
ourselves physically and mentally facing the greatest day of
knowledge.
Thursday and Friday July 12-13 is called Uripan and Penegtegan
or preparation day. It reminds us to be aware constantly, to
do introspection, to face all the worldly temptation by holding
the purity of knowledge.
Saraswati Day is the day to worship God in his manifestation
as the master of all knowledge. On this day Balinese people
from morning until evening perform ceremonies to worship Ida
Sang
Hyang Aji Saraswati who has sent knowledge to humans on earth
for the sake of their prosperity and happiness. And some people
would not sleep all night, they performance some activities
that have relationship with Saraswati day, like singing a holy
song and meditation.
The next day, is called Banyu Pinaruh or the water of knowledge.
On this day most of people go to beaches, lake or river and
have a swim or wash to purify their body and soul. Some take
a bath with Toya Kumkum (water mixed with flowers) and they
will drink traditional medicine (loloh) which is made from many
various leaves which is very good for our health, then pray
together with their family begging for pure knowledge and wisdom.
The philosophy of Banyu Pinaruh day is the second most important
thing for human life is good health.
The series of ceremonies to celebrate Saraswati Day indicate
the importance that knowledge has to human life. The more knowledge
people have the wiser they should be in speech, thought and
deed. So human life will become more interesting, beautiful
and delightful and full of peace.
In every ceremony, Balinese always comes with their imaginer
symbol as well as Saraswati day. They symbolize Saraswati, the
goddes of knowledge as a beautiful woman with some attributes.
It symbolized by a beautiful woman with four hands, riding on
a white swan among water lilies to tell humanity that science
is like a beautiful woman, very interesting. Her hands hold
a palm leaf; a lontar, (a Balinese traditional book which is
the source of science or knowledge); a chain (genitri with 108
pieces) symbolising that knowledge is never ending and has an
everlasting life cycle; and a musical instrument (guitar or
wina) symbolising that science develops through the growth of
culture. The swans symbolise prudence, so that one's knowledge
may distinguish between good and evil and the water lilies (Lotus)
are symbols of holiness. The Lotus flower is the holiest for
Balinese.
