Once the 10-metre-tall pole is erected, celebrants believe that the Hindu god, Shiva, descends to bring spiritual power to the event. While the origins of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival are unclear, it is commonly thought that it was brought to the island by a wandering Chinese opera group that fell ill from a malaria epidemic. Now lets take a look at accommodation options for your stay in Thailand. Observe proper hygiene practices to maintain the purity of the festival. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival takes place in the streets of Phuket Town, so visitors can expect to experience a vibrant atmosphere filled with culture and tradition. According to an early-nineteenth-century interpretation of Chinese Taoism by a local community of Chinese immigrant miners, the Nine Emperor Gods descend from poles located in the shrines yards and incarnate by using the bodies of the participants as shells for walking on Earth. With everything that goes on during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, lets look at some of the important events, activities, and details of the said festival. Check out all the must-see places and things to do & see, Unique experience combined with top-notch services, Easy excursion combined with week-long beach break, Easy excursions combined with unique experience making the long-lasting romantic memories, The combination of fun and educational activities, Explorethe least visited destinations and unknown experienceon foot, Reveal off-the-beatentrack routes, least explored destinations, and unknown tribe groups, Explore every corners of the destination on two wheels, The combination ofsome must-see experience and the cruise tour along the mighty rivers. A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling. We wont even spare you the gross tongue sliding on a giant blade. What is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2022? At the temple they undergo a series of rituals to protect them for the duration of the festival, during which flagellation and self-mutilation is practiced. The festival was meant to honour the gods and express the people's happiness at surviving what was, in the 19th century, a fatal illness. The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming loyalists. There are two terminals in the airport; Terminal 1 is used for international flights while Terminal 2 is used for domestic flights. Like it or hate it but you can certainly not remain indifferent to it. Many restaurants across Phuket offer special menus for vegetarians during this period so its easy to find something delicious no matter what your dietary preferences may be. To really see the festival at its best, you'll want to go there. At the same time, the devotees will go in procession, self-inflicting all kinds of tortures to shift other worshipers evil onto themselves to bring luck back to the community. The malaria-stricken Chinese opera group recovered from their illness and since then, the inhabitants of Phuket continue the festivals celebration. During these nine days, participants abstain from eating meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products, as well as pungent vegetables, such as onion and garlic, which are believed to be "heating" and contribute to aggression and lust. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of celebration. I run Phuket101.net and manage large international online travel guides. Phuket Weather What is the best month to visit Phuket? The sight of blood and mutilation is gory and might be very disturbing to some. Basic Thai Phrases: Learn the Basics for Your Holiday! The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the annual nine-day event taking place during the ninth Chinese lunar month. Tourists can join in the lighting of candles and joss sticks before they are placed around the household gods. The ceremonies take place in the vicinity of 6 Chinese temples in Phuket. [4] [5] Shops in Phuket and throughout Thailand display red and yellow jay flags to indicate they are serving appropriate vegan food for observant participants. Festivities will be observed in all of Phuket Islands Chinese shrines. Some examples include tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup) and kaeng jued wan (vegetable clear soup). Where to Experience the Phuket Vegetarian Festival? PHUKET: The first street procession of this year's Phuket Vegetarian festival was held this morning (Oct 7) as devotees and Ma Song spirit mediums from the Naka Shrine in Wichit trvelled to. There are over 40 chinese shrines in Phuket and all of them take out a parade during the festival. We post the unavoidable piercing photos everyone has already seen or shot themselves here. If youre looking for something more affordable, there are also plenty of hostels and guesthouses located throughout the city that offer comfortable lodging at an economical price point. There are also performances by local musicians playing drums and gongs to accompany the procession. Most participants miraculously heal up without needing stitches or medical care. The rituals, which last for nine days, are performed to purify both body and mind. The festivities in Phuket include a procession of masong wearing elaborate costumes who pierce their cheeks and tongues with all manner of things, including swords, banners, machine guns, table lamps, and flowers. 6.San-yuan Three Epochs During this time, there are many food offerings available for visitors to enjoy without having to worry about consuming any animal products. This parade features colorful floats, marching bands, and dancers dressed in traditional costumes. The masong tradition which is similar to Tng-ki also exist among the Chinese communities in Singapore and Malaysia during this festival. It is celebrated mainly by Chinese Thai people and involves abstaining from meat, as well as other activities such as parades, street processions, and temple ceremonies. It is an occasion when Buddhists go to the temple to perform merit-making activities, such as alms giving, meditation and listening to teachings. The role of ma song, or spirit mediums, is an integral part of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Srah Srang - Chasing the Sun at the Royal Bathing Pool, Ta Keo Temple - The Mountain with Golden Peaks, Ta Prohm: Cambodia's 'Tomb Raider' Temple, Ta Som Temple - Home to the Propitious Holy Elephant Jewel, Tad Yuang Waterfall Wins ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award, Thailand eases entry rules from May 1st, 2022, Thailand Scraps More Covid-19 Rules to Welcome Tourists, The Best Spots & Tours to Catch Angkor Wat Sunrise & Sunset. Koh Lanta island is one of the most popular destinations for new years eve party in Thailand for backpackers. Devotees are expected to wear white and keep pure thoughts; they give up meat, sex, alcohol, stimulants, and strong foods such as garlic and spice. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed.[4][5]. Many tourists come from Malaysia. Thousands of people will pay respect to their ancestors. During this time, locals observe a strict vegetarian diet and take part in various religious ceremonies such as processions with ornately decorated floats and firewalking rituals. Held at various locations throughout Phuket Island, this festival offers something for . Phone: 088 169 2595. This festival offers live music and games and is family- and pet-friendly. It was also reported that Chinese temples in Hat Yai stockpiled vegetarian food in advance of the festival and hired more people. Some of the airlines with frequent routes between India and Phuket are Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Jet Airways. Reopening Thailand: Everything you need to know when traveling during covid, Songkran in Bangkok - Sacred Tradition Vs. Crazy Water Fight. A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. The Thailand Piercing Festical It was the fourth day of The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket Town, Thailand - also known as the Thailand Piercing Festival. According to Rev. Explore the Wonders of Scuba Diving in Thailand! Phuket's most famous and spectacular cultural event, the Vegetarian Festival takes place over nine days in the ninth lunar month, typically around September or October. In pre-modern times, Magha Puja has been celebrated by some Southeast Asian communities. But it became widely popular in the modern period, when it was instituted in Thailand by King Rama IV in the mid-19th century. The dishes are prepared without the use of garlic, chili, or strong spices. Experiencing the festival for the first time is life-changing as it really needs to be seen to be believed. Weeks before the Vegetarian Festival events, yellow Chinese flags bloom on every roadside and intersection, especially near Chinese temples. With our guide, you can find all the best places to stay, eat and enjoy your holiday with ease. The Nine Emperor Stars are: On the eve of the ninth moon, temples of the deities hold a ceremony to invoke and welcome the nine emperors. The Nine Emperor Gods Ji Hung Xng Jn / Ji Hung Da Di (/) are the nine sons manifested by Father Emperor Zhou Yu Dou Fu Yuan Jun () and Mother of the Big Dipper Dou Mu Yuan Jun () who holds the Registrar of Life and Death. The history of this festival may be a bit unclear but it is commonly believed to have been brought by a Chinese opera group that got hit by the Malaria epidemic of the time. Magha Puja (also written as Makha Bucha Day) is the third most important Buddhist festival, celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Sri Lanka and on the full moon day of Tabaung in Myanmar. It is said that monks started remaining immobile in a temple during this time because they wanted to avoid killing insects and harming farmland. You can eat at the various vegetarian stalls set up on the street. The Chinese followed the tradition of refraining from eating meat, drinking alcoholic drinks, engaging in sex, quarrelling, telling lies or killing. It is celebrated annually during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually falling between late September and early October. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique event that takes place annually in Thailand and draws visitors from around the world. An important procession that draws thousands of devotees to send the Nine Emperor Gods back via waterways. Wu, Jave (2008), Celebration The Nine Emperors is formed by the seven stars of the Big Dipper of the North Ursa Major (visible) and two assistant stars (invisible to most people). Realistic vegetarian meats are used instead. WHAT MORE? I love experiencing the different cultures of the different lands and sharing my dream with the whole world. During the ritual, devotees will wait in the streets of Phuket town to send God Kiu Ong off to heaven. 7.Tien-shih During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests are heard. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, also referred to as the Kin Jay Festival or the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is a yearly event celebrated in Thailand primarily by the Chinese community. This ceremony is usually calm and quiet.However, you can see a lot of buzz later in the week during the parades. Phuket is famous worldwide for its mountainous interiors and exotic beaches.The mesmerizing picturesque scenery in, To pick one as the best beach is a herculean task since Phuket is the, Despite all the modern shops and air-conditioned malls that have sprung recently, the local night, Address: 66 Hussadhisawee Rd, Chang Phueak, Chiang Mai 50300 All the Chinese shrines on the island are cleaned, painted, and decorated with Chinese Ancestry inspired decorations. However, linking to the blog is welcomed. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed. One of the most popular dishes served during the festival is noodles. The streets are filled with people walking barefoot over hot coals or climbing ladders made of blades as part of their spiritual journey. Wear white to honor the Nine Emperor Gods. Sat, Jul 2, 11:00 AM. 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