Pagerwesi is the day when the Balinese strengthen their minds and souls against evil forces.

Pagerwesi is also called “rerainan gumi” by the Balinese and means the holiday for everyone from every background (read: caste) from the families of priests to the common families. Pagerwesi is celebrated every 210 days on Wednesday of Shinta (the first week in the Balinese Pawukon calendar system).

Etymologically Pagerwesi derives from the two Balinese words pager and wesi, which means fence and iron. The iron fence is a symbol of strong self-protection and on pagerwesi the Balinese focuses on building a strong personal fortification to ensure that evil don’t enter their minds, speech and deeds, so won’t do harm their surroundings.

The God who is worshipped on Pagerwesi is Sanghyang Paramesti Guru or God Siva – the god who is responsible to wipe out all the bad and evil entities in the world. Also known as teacher or guru of the universe, Sanghyang Paramesti Guru, also leads and teaches human on how to live their life appropriately, without giving in to bad behavior and evil desires.

In many regions in Bali, Pagerwesi is considered to be a really important holiday which is celebrated excessively in a similar fashion to Galungan Day, includinf erections of penjors(tall decorated bamboo poles) The Balinese show their gratitude to Sanghyang Paramesti Guru by making offerings, praying in their houses and visiting temples.