Cultural Event: Saraswati Day

This 16 December, the Balinese will celebrate Saraswati Day, one of the most important religious celebrations in the Balinese calendar, with many ceremonies held throughout the day and all over the island.

Saraswati Day is a celebration named after the Goddess Saraswati who is the symbol of knowledge, arts, wisdom and learning. On this day, offerings and prayers are presented in temples, homes, schools, and offices as well as books and sacred texts, regarded as sources of knowledge. Held once every 210 days, ceremonies are usually conducted in the morning as the Goddess is believed to return to Heaven in the afternoon.

The day after Saraswati is Banyu Pinaruh, a day dedicated to cleansing. On this day, the Balinese will head towards the sea, sacred waterfalls or river to cleanse themselves and offer prayers to the Goddess before returning to their family homes to prepare and enjoy a family feast.