Mark Saraswati and Pagerwesi Days in Bali

Balinese Hindus will celebrate two important festival dates in the month of September. The first is Saraswati Day on September 25. Saraswati is a combination of the Balinese words 'saras' meaning 'flow', and 'wati' meaning 'woman'. This day honours the Goddess Saraswati, who is associated with knowledge, and Balinese Hindus believe that one of the essential things required as a human being is knowledge.

The day is marked with offerings to books and the lontar (scripts written on palm leaf) at the temples. At educational institutions across Bali, teachers and students will don colourful ceremonial outfits for the special ceremony held in place of lessons.

The second is Pagerwesi Day on September 29. Pagerwesi is a combination of the Javanese words 'pager' or 'pageh' meaning 'fence', and 'wesi' meaning 'iron'. Thus it is literally 'iron fence' day, which marks the beginning of the Balinese pawukon cycle. On this day, Balinese Hindus are reminded to surround oneself with strong defenses against the forces of evil until the next pagerwesi, which is 210 days later.

The day is also marked with special offerings to the Sanghyang Pramesti Guru (God as the Supreme Teacher), and to the gods of nine directions for their meditation. Ceremonial prayers and offerings will also be made at family and village temples for presenting offerings to the holy spirit of the family's ancestors, and family members will visit the graves of deceased relatives who have not yet been cremated.

If you are in Bali during these dates, make sure that you bring your camera with you as you explore the island. These colourful festivities present many photographic memories for the traveller.