Balinese people will commemorate Pagerwesi Day which is fall
today, on Budha Kliwon wuku Sinta according to the Balinese Calendar. The word
Pagerwesi is delivered from two Javanese words, pager (fence) and wesi (iron).
Pagerwesi literally means the day of “iron fence”.
Pagerwesi is dedicated to honor Siva, the God manifestation
as Sanghyang Pramesi Guru, guardian of the universe, which is meant to ask for
protection and prosperity. Pagerwesi has a very close relationship with Saraswati
which falls four days before. After people received knowledge on Saraswati Day,
Pagerwesi is the day to show our respect to the teacher and the main Guru (God
or Siva). Another correlation between Saraswati and Pagerwesi is that the
knowledge must be protected from bad influences and misuse.
Pagerwesi is the day when Balinese fortify the space around
themselves to ward off evil spirits, a day of offerings for the protection of
the village and families and the world around them. On this day, villagers take
offerings to cemeteries for the un-cremated dead. Celebrated in every home
compound and temple throughout Bali, Pagerwesi is a popular time for large and
colorful temple ceremonies, notably at Payogan Agung Temple in Ketewel.