People ascending path as they leave temple ceremony dedicated to Saraswati
About this photograph
- Creator
- Margery H. Freeman
- Date created
- 1986
- Location
- Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
- License
- This photograph copyright ©2007. Terms of use
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Learn more
- Search LEARN NC for Bali, Hinduism, holidays, Indonesia, processions, religion, rituals, Saraswati, stairs, and Ubud.
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A procession of Balinese in formal temple clothes are seen walking home from a temple ceremony dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of Learning.
Over twenty women, men, and children are walking up a stairway of stone built into a verdant hillside in a zigzag pattern. A walled house compound is visible near the top of the path.
One day per year is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and the consort to the god of creation, Brahma. On the day of Saraswati, no letters or written words should be crossed out or destroyed. Balinese take the day to give thanks to their teachers and their books. Offerings to honor Saraswati are brought by women to local temple festivals.
