Knowledge is very important for Balinese. Every Saniscara, Umanis, Wuku Watugunung, they celebrate Saraswati Day, The knowledge day. It is based on the Pawukan (Balinese calendar) system and the Saniscara (seven day cycle).
The name Saraswati came from “Saras” meaning flow and “wati” meaning a women. So, Saraswati is symbol of knowledge, its flow (or growth) is like a river and knowledge is very interesting, like a beautiful women.
The beautiful face represents how interesting knowledge can be; zither represents art; scriptures represents how knowledge can lead human into enlightenment. and finally, the rosary beads means spirituality
Goddess Saraswati is also figured sitting, or standing on a lotus with holy animals as her conveyance; a goose and a peacock. The lotus symbolizes the ability of knowledge to remain in any situation, while the goose represents the ability of knowledge to filter good and bad habits or deeds, and the peacock represents beauty and along with the goose becomes a vehicle to deliver the knowledge given by God.
Like many Balinese holidays, this day is helped every six months or 210 days. on Saturday of Watugunung (the last week in the Balinese Calendar System) and is celebrated all over Bali. The day is celebrated by making offerings and praying at home, in temples, schools and offices. The Balinese also would put offering on their books and scriptures, due to books and scriptures being classic sources of knowledge.
While in Saraswati day, in the afternoon, Hindus are not permitted to read or write the book, because all the books are currently being offered. In the evening, which is called Malam Sastra, people read books (sepecially religious books) in their houses or his the temple.
The day before Saraswati is called Pangredenan. In this day. Hindus would collect all lontar and books together, cleaned and dusted. Next is Saraswati Day itself, which is celebrated by the Balinese Hindus bringing offerings to their holy books and scrolls in their houses, while student celebrate it at school, usually in the morning and the office-workers in their office.
After Saraswati day, is Banyu Pinaruh day. “Banyu”, which means water and “Pinaruh” which means wisdom, In other words, in this day, we must have wisdom which always flows like water, and also useful for humankind. Hindus would pray for Dewi Saraswati (manifestation of God to give them cleverness and wisdom. They usually take a bath in the sea or lake or river and drink traditional medicine, which is made from many various leaves. Banyu Pinaruh day is the second most important thing for human life.
After two days from Saraswati, is Soma Ribek day. “Soma” which has the meaning of monday, and Ribek meaning full. In this day. Balinese Hindus offer prayers to Sang Hyang Pramesti Guru. All Balinese Hindus has offerings to their Sanggah (temple in home) and at all of their temples. This is teh second biggest holidays after Galungan day for the Balinese.