8.Pa-hsien Eight Immortals. Refrain from sexual activities during the festival. I have created these two VegResources.com guides to help you find vegan events without VegEvents: The five most ancient Shrines are Put Jaw, Jui Tui, Bang Niew, Cherng Talay, and Kathu Shrine. Participants usually walk on hot coals or pierce their cheeks with swords! In 2021 the festival was 5 - 15 October. A fun-fact here is that you will hardly find any vegetables on the stalls. To this effect few people ever need to have prolonged medical treatment, and although in the weeks after the festival many people will be seen covered in bandages, scarring is uncommon, stitching, even on individual devotees who impale their cheeks, is rare, and return to daily activity for the devotees occurs shortly after the completion of the ritual, frequently before the festival ends unless performed on the last days, much sooner than before the bandages themselves are removed. A Message from VegEvents. Apparently, traveling monks were crossing through fields, thus destroying the crops of villagers and farmers. The devotees wear bright and very ornamented outfits, and then you are set for a full week of firecrackers, parades, piercings, and vegetarian food. For 2023, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival will be celebrated from October 13 to October 22. Bang Neow Shrine is on Phuket Road, a Kio Thian Keng Shrine is a colourful Chinese shrine that is set on the seashore inside Saphan Hin public park in Phuket Town. Though its not well known as Lim Hu Tai Su is a Chinese Taoist shrine on the north side of Phuket Town, also known as Sam Kong Shrine, for the neighbourhood its found in. Soybean and protein substitute products are used to replace pork, chicken or fish they even look and taste exactly like meat. Many temples throughout Phuket host special events such as lion dances, puppet shows, kite flying competitions, and food stalls selling vegetarian dishes prepared according to Buddhist principles (no meat or eggs). 1.Yu-huang -The Jade Emperor And as you may have already inferred, Thailand's Veg-fest is not a meat-abhorring, food-loving, happy-go-lucky celebration. The procession walks from an ahm to Phuket town. Come and experience the joy of Thailands Phuket Vegetarian Festival! Where to Celebrate Your New Year's Eve in Phuket, Xe Champhone Loop - the hidden beauty of central Laos, Cleanliness of the body during the festival, Clean kitchen utensils not to be used by others who do not participate in the festival, Behave correctly, both physically and mentally, People in mourning should not participate, Pregnant women and menstruating women should not attend ceremonies. History of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The rituals, which last for nine days, are performed to purify both body and mind. The festival is celebrated by Chinese Hokkien descendants for the purposes of purifying body and mind, also to ensure a year of prosperity. While large crowds of people gather to watch, the entranced mah song distribute blessed candy and pieces of orange cloth with Chinese characters printed on them yan for good luck. The streets are filled with people walking barefoot over hot coals or climbing ladders made of blades as part of their spiritual journey. Vietnam stops Covid testing for all arrivals, Vietnam to treat foreign and domestic tourists alike: deputy PM. Wat Phou - the Ancient Khmer Temple in Southern Laos. It celebrates the unique belief of the chinese community in the holiness of vegetarian food. The peculiarity of this festival lies in its extreme celebrations that include body piercing, fire walking, climbing tall leaders of sharp blades, throwing firecrackers on the devotees etc. The walk on the fire is another challenging photo to capture, as you must come early to secure the best spot. One of the most popular dishes served during the festival is noodles. The peak of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is on the ninth, or last, day as the ceremony becomes a farewell frenzy for sending the gods home to the sky. 5.San-kuan Three Officials The festival celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants will help them obtain good health and peace of mind. There are many different types of dishes available ranging from stir fries to curries all made without any animal products whatsoever even fish sauce. These can be found in various forms such as stir-fried or soup-based dishes with vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and other plant-based ingredients. Get ready to wait and feel the heat for an hour or so: you have to save a place near the burning charcoal early not to have anyone in front of you, which means sweating for at least an hour. It falls usually in the month of September or October. Vendors and restaurants all over Thailand participate by switching to "jay" food, using yellow flags with red Thai or Chinese characters to signal their participation. There are participants who-as a medium of God- indulge in the act of self-mutilation. There are a number of rituals or events to see during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is a unique spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors every year.There are no hard and fast rules for viewers except that you must not do anything that is a sign of disrespect to the belief and custom of the people.If possible, put on white clothes to blend in with the local community. While most people may see walking on fire as something that is dangerous, devotees are confident that those who are purified and cleansed by the fire will come out unharmed. Not all those hotels are historical, but they have a style that fits the event atmosphere. One of the performers was sent to China to invite the Nine Emperor Gods (known as the Kiu Ong Iah) to Phuket. Email:jordan@thailandnomads.com, https://www.thailandnomads.com/author/cindyb/, Phuket Vegetarian Festival: The Complete Guide to Visiting It, 5 Best Cannabis Shops in Phuket - 2023 Travellers Guide, Best Muay Thai Training Centers in Koh Tao 2023 Guide, Everything You Need to Know About the Koh Tao Weather 2023 Guide, Best Golf Courses in Phuket That Are A Must-Visit for Golf Lovers, 7 Must Visit Night Markets in Phuket 2023 Update. Most restaurants in and around Phuket remain shut during the festival. Liputan6dotcom. by tripsavvy. The annual Vegetarian Festival in Phuket always starts off at the Jui Tsui Chinese Shrine in Phuket Town when the Chinese spirits and gods come down to participate in the 10 day festival. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a yearly event that is usually celebrated on the Chinese Calendars ninth lunar month falling somewhere between the months of September and October. Most of them sell noodles, sushi, tofu shaped like meat and other fast foods. Tourists are advised to stay away from areas that observe this scary and deafening aspect of the celebrations. During this time, devotees observe a strict vegetarian diet and take part in various religious ceremonies to honor the Nine Emperor Gods. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Laos? The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming rebels. But dont get too excited about this event until you have read our bottom line in this article or you might regret later. We post the unavoidable piercing photos everyone has already seen or shot themselves here. No meat or animal products to be consumed during the festival. Participants must behave both physically and mentally. (and get our downloadable Phuket Travel Guide PDF for free too!). As such, tourists who want to experience the full-on spectacle of the festival should proceed to Phuket Island. The ceremonies of the Vegetarian Festival take place in six Chinese temples scattered throughout Phuket, Thailand. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique event that takes place annually in Thailand and draws visitors from around the world. permission of the copyright owner except of the use of quotations in a book review. Second: the walking is more of a jump as fast as you can above the charcoal, so with the lack of light, taking sharp images is difficult, so get ready to freeze the moment with a well-calibrated flash (too much flash would kill the atmosphere). Today, most Nine Emperor God temples do not acknowledge the existence of Dou Fu Yuan Jun. The BRUTAL Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Not for the faint of heart! The said food stalls will usually be located on Ranong Road, between the Jui Tui Shrine and Ranong market. The ninth day of the festival is its climax. The festival dates use the Lunar Calendar, and the festival's exact dates change every year, so if you plan to travel to Tha Rua Shrine is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, found in Thalang District on Thepkasattri Road about 800m south of the Heroines Monument. Visitors from all over Thailand come to witness this unique event which has been celebrated since 1825. With our guide, you can find all the best places to stay, eat and enjoy your holiday with ease. Either are you wondering about best time to visit, visa policy, or how to get the cheapest flight, we have your back! Festivities will be observed in all of Phuket Islands Chinese shrines. The festival always starts on the first day of the 9th Chinese lunar month (though the pole-raising ceremony is the night before). It is believed that long ago, a famous Chinese Opera band visited the island to perform for the Chinese inhabitants of Phuket. The street is filled with dense smoke and the loud noise of fireworks. Phuket Vegetarian Festival Sep 25, 2022 - Oct 4, 2022. Tourists can join in the lighting of candles and joss sticks before they are placed around the household gods. If you wish to use an image from our website with a link back to us, 17 Best Romantic Restaurants in Phuket , Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town (Kew Ong) , Shrine of the Serene Light in Phuket Town , Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine (Sam Kong Shrine) , 48 Best Things to Do in Phuket and Around in 2023, 11 Best Phuket Tours Day Trips and Excursions, 33 Best Hotels in Phuket We Tried and Loved. The same applies to women who are pregnant or menstruating. The festival culminates with an extravagant procession featuring elaborately decorated floats and participants dressed in white or yellow clothing carrying joss sticks and firecrackers. ), Do not eat food with a strong smell (garlic), Keep and wash cooking utensils separately from those used in the event. However, before the first day of the festival, a ceremonial pole raising must be conducted. Loy Krathong in Bangkok - Where to have the best celebration? Ma song are individuals who are believed to be possessed by the Nine Emperor Gods during the festival, and they play a central role in the spiritual rituals and ceremonies that take place. Where to Experience the Phuket Vegetarian Festival? If you want to write for us, please get in touch. Along the way, local Thai of Chinese descent prepare food offerings on small tables and receive blessings. Cyclone Freddy has made landfall on Madagascar, leaving destruction in its wake. Read along to know about the most peculiar festival in Phuket- The Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming loyalists. The belief is that by abstaining from these types of food, participants will obtain good health and peace of mind. Observe proper hygiene practices to maintain the purity of the festival. 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. Many temples also host vegetarian feasts where visitors can enjoy traditional Thai dishes made with vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, nuts, and fruits instead of meat or fish. For several days, on both sides of Phuket Town streets leading to shrines, food stands display tons of vegetarian dishes in all imaginable shapes and sizes (but often have a very similar taste). Chiang Mai is already packed with vegan and vegetarian restaurants, but for Vegetarian Festival, the city takes things to another level. What is the Difference between Laos & Thai Papaya Salad. 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. Beach guides, things to do and hand-picked villa and hotel advice. The abstinence from eating any kind of me. Train: Although there are no direct trains to Phuket, one can travel on trains going from Bangkok to Singapore and get off at Phun Phin railway station. Each day, the street procession starts from one of the leading Shrines in Phuket. Close to the tail end of September and budding October, the ninth Chinese lunar month is when Phuket Vegetarian Festival is celebrated. This year, the event will take place from 15th to 23rd October 2023. Since a little girl, I was always dreaming of exploring the far-away lands, the unseen beauty spots of the world. Many of these vegetarian dishes aren't easily distinguishable from regular Thai dishes. Various gory spectacles, perilous events and parades taking place, from sword piercings, fire walking, etc So from early morning, worshipers will enter a trance at their favourite shrine and pierce their cheek with the most extreme object possible: from a gas nozzle to a scale warship model or a car shock absorber. Long Beach Vegan Festival VIP Pass. The American chef Dan Sriprasert used the vegan recipes he learned to make at his mother's food stall in Nan, Thailand during the festival to create the menu for the popular Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro in the United States. During this time, there are many food offerings available for visitors to enjoy without having to worry about consuming any animal products. Principles to follow during the festival: Scary photos of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Ten vegetarian food to try during the festival. When is Tet Vietnam - Should you travel during Vietnamese lunar new year? [10] Many varieties of tofu are prepared and sold during the festival. Some of the feats performed include piercing cheeks with swords, walking on nails or hot coals, and climbing ladders made of knife blades! It's one of the main shrines taking part in the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival and is a place of worship and merit-making activity for the local Chinese-Thai community throughout the year. Last 2021, the festival was celebrated from September 25, 2022, to October 4, 2022. This parade features colorful floats, marching bands, and dancers dressed in traditional costumes. Mio Cade on Flickr, Phuket, Thailand Fire Walking on Vegetarian Festival 2013, Jamie Monk on Flickr, Crossing the Bridge, Bertrand Linet on Flickr, Farewell ritual at the Phuket Vegetarian festival 2015. Now lets take a look at accommodation options for your stay in Thailand. Apart from the visual spectacle of this festival, you can partake in vegetarian dishes, which are sold at street stalls and markets around the island. Buses from the Southern Bus Terminal of Bangkok to Phuket are the most reliable and convenient way of travelling between the two cities and take up to 13 hours to reach Phuket. San Diego's biggest vegan festival is held at Encinitas' own outdoor bazaar. Police arrested a Swedish man in Phuket, southern Thailand, on drug charges today and are preparing to revoke his permission to stay in the kingdom, reports . The streets are lined with colorful decorations and flags as people walk through carrying statues of gods or goddesses while chanting prayers and playing music. 4.San-ching Three Pure Ones This is mostly because the festival involves self-mutilation by a few participants in order to show their loyalty to their Deities aside from adopting a special diet for the duration of the festival. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of the celebration. During the ritual, devotees will wait in the streets of Phuket town to send God Kiu Ong off to heaven. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colourful annual event held on the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually in September or October. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is an invocation of blessings from the Emperor Gods of the Chinese community. 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. It's a new era for this extraordinary and complex land, where the landscape is scattered with gilded pagodas and the traditional ways of Asia endure. Since then, the people of Phuket have continued to celebrate the festival. 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