Pagerwesi, The Knowledge Iron Armour
Hindu's followers in Bali celebrate Pagerwesi ceremony every
six months based on Bali's calender system (210 days). Pagarwesi,
or "iron fence," is a day to strengthen one's fortification
against evil. Offerings are made to ask for spiritual power
to cope with hardship and misfortune, and offerings are made
for the uncremated dead at the cemeteries.
Pagerwesi is dedicated to Siva as God manifestation as the main
Guru. Pagerwesi day has a close relationship within Saraswati
day. Pagerwesi falls three day after Saraswati day, and there's
continuity meaning between Saraswati day and Pagerwesi, after
people receive knowledge on Saraswati day, they must remain
that the knowledge is transferred trough Guru or teacher and
Pagerwesi is the day to show our respect to the teacher and
the main Guru (God or Siva). Beside that, the correlation between
Saraswati and Pagerwesi "iron fence" is knowledge
must be protected because knowledge is so powerful, it should
be protected from bad influence that can make human and nature
in disharmony by use "iron fence" of human value.
Based on history that Hindu in Bali is come from India, that's
a reason many ceremony in Bali has a similar meaning with Hindu's
India.
In India itself, Pagerwesi is known as Guru Puja or Guru Purnima
and has similar meaning but celebrate in different way and different
day, Guru Puja is come every Purnama Kasa or the first new moon
every year.
Pagerwesi Day remains human to be wise and more aware to the
function and power of knowledge.
