Phuket Vegetarian Festival has started on Monday, September 26th. 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. However, what sets this festival apart is its bizarre and extreme form of festivities. 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. 1.Yu-huang -The Jade Emperor A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling. [8] Hat Yai had more than 100 vegetarian food stalls during the 2022 festival. Beach guides, things to do and hand-picked villa and hotel advice. [11] In his research project starting in 2012, Schneider identified the affective states of the Ma Song that reflected a religious frame of submission. Although the Vegetarian Festival can seem like a bizarre carnival, it is still a deeply religious event; show respect and stay out of the way! Phuket Governor faces taxi doubleheader at Phuket International airport. For those looking for a more upscale experience, many of the areas top resorts offer special packages for guests attending the festival. Ladies who have their menstrual cycle should not attend the festival. This was done to ensure that the body and the mind are cleansed or purified. [7] Bangkok and Chiang Mai also have many vendors selling vegan food during the festival. Either are you wondering about best time to visit, visa policy, or how to get the cheapest flight, we have your back! 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. Established in 1904, this shrine boasts dragon pillars and colourful paintings of stories and creatures believed to bring good luck and prosperity to devotees. 855 Elm Ave Long Beach, CA. The opera group made a complete recovery and the epidemic ceased. Aside from major events and activities happening at this shrine for the entirety of the nine-day celebration, it is also here that nine Chinese lanterns are lit, signifying that the festival has started. Ultimately, the goal of the festival is to express the happiness of the people who survived a 19th-century deadly disease and to honour the gods who heeded their call for help. The festival features more than 40 vendors, many of whom are local to the San Diego and LA areas. The temple houses 2 historical images that are believed to bring good luck. There are over 40 chinese shrines in Phuket and all of them take out a parade during the festival. 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. Some of the airlines with frequent routes between India and Phuket are Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Jet Airways. From the vibrant street processions to the delicious vegetarian dishes, there is something for everyone at this festival. No part of this website may be reproduced or used in any manner without written As humans attempt purification using fire, they are actually overcoming their yin and making amends for their sins. Devotees and participants see this ceremony as cleansing of their past impurities and a fresh start in life. They believe that they will be protected by the Chinese gods and that these injuries should leave no scars and cause little to no bleeding. Road: Buses to other regions of Thailand including Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Na and Surat Thani operate at the BKS terminal located just off Thanon Phang Nga in Phuket Town. How to register for Test & Go on Thailand Pass system? The Chinese followed the tradition of refraining from eating meat, drinking alcoholic drinks, engaging in sex, quarrelling, telling lies or killing. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await for their arrival. [6] The architecture is heavily European, and the streets are lined with Sino-Portuguese buildings, quaint mansions, charming cafes and boutique shops. Its a celebration of Chinese culture with an emphasis on vegan cuisine, street processions, and other religious rituals. During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests are heard. One of the performers was sent to China to invite the Nine Emperor Gods (known as the Kiu Ong Iah) to Phuket. The Vegetarian Festival in Thailand is an annual event celebrated by the Chinese community in Thailand. 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. Masong are the people who invite the spirits of gods to possess their bodies. Anything goes; the weirder, the better. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colourful annual event held on the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually in September or October. All acts of Sexual intercourse must be avoided during the festival. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the annual nine-day event taking place during the ninth Chinese lunar month. When is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival? Eventually, the festival has grown into a spectacle and is celebrated yearly in Phuket. A Guide to Thailand for Families With Kids. Also to maintain purity devout festival participants abstain from sex, alcohol and stimulants during the festival. 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. From the 1800s, well into the 20th century, thousands of migrants from China arrived in Phuket to work in the tin mines and establish merchant Lai Thu Tao Bo Keng is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, and many believe it was the birthplace of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival nearly two centuries ago. White clothes must be worn during the festival. Despite this scenario, many of the people performing the rituals are also the people who will care for many of the people in their recovery. An important procession that draws thousands of devotees to send the Nine Emperor Gods back via waterways. There's a magic about this charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors. [12] While in Western cultures dominance is seen as a cherished goal, Schneider observed an unusual appreciation of submission amongst the Ma Song. Many of these vegetarian dishes aren't easily distinguishable from regular Thai dishes. Sign up for our newsletter to receive special offers, news and great events. Protein substitutes allow these vegetarian dishes to taste, and look like and replace fish, chicken, and pork in Thai cuisine. This area is usually closed-off during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival and it is here that vegetarian food stalls abound. In Thailand, this festival is called thetsakan kin che (), the Vegetarian Festival. Observe proper hygiene practices to maintain the purity of the festival. The Vegetarian Festival is an internationally known event, and while it also happens modestly in Bangkok around the same dates, it is mostly a Phuket event. Therefore, it is important to come mentally prepared. [6] Vegan food is prepared because it is considered the most pure. There are two terminals in the airport; Terminal 1 is used for international flights while Terminal 2 is used for domestic flights. Cindy quit her 9 to 5 job to pursue her passion for exploring mesmerizing locations in Thailand. If you are a faint-hearted person, we advise you to not watch these parades as the devotees perform eerie acts of self-mutilation such as slicing their tongues with a sword, piercing their body and face with sharp skewers, etc. To achieve peace of mind and good health, participants need to follow certain commitments and rules during the interval of the festival. Participants who wish to be forgiven of their transgressions and to repent should prepare a monetary offering and a paper cutout of themselves before doing the ceremonial bridge-crossing ritual. 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. Liputan6dotcom. A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Thailand? The preparation for the festival gears up long before the main day. Men and women puncture their cheeks with sharp items, including knives and skewers. Chiang Mai is already packed with vegan and vegetarian restaurants, but for Vegetarian Festival, the city takes things to another level. Reopening Thailand: Everything you need to know when traveling during covid, Songkran in Bangkok - Sacred Tradition Vs. Crazy Water Fight. The participants who prepare to volunteer their bodies to the gods are called the Ma Song. Location: Phuket Town. Technically, people who are in mourning are not supposed to attend the ceremonies in temples. As mentioned earlier, there are over 40 Chinese Shrines in Phuket and all of them participate in the festival. Phuket is renowned for its vibrant and colourful festivals. Tired of reading, listen to our podcast below: The Hmong New Year celebration is a cultural tradition that takes place annually in select areas where large Hmong communities exist and in a modified form where smaller communities come together. It is a nine-day Taoist celebration starting on the eve of the ninth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Wu, Jave (2007), The term Ye as in Jiu Huang Ye (loosely translates as "Grandfather", a title worshipers commonly use to bring a more intimate relationship between themselves and the Nine Emperors. As such, tourists who want to experience the full-on spectacle of the festival should proceed to Phuket Island. Inland Empire IE Vegan Sundays. Once the lantern pole has been erected, participants believe that Shiva, the Hindu god, will go down and provide the festival with the gods spiritual power. One of the most popular dishes served during the festival is noodles. What is happening if you have a positive Covid test result when traveling in Thailand? Pregnant women should not watch any of the rituals. This dish comes with chicken or pork for the rest of the year. It has been proposed in Thailand as a more spiritual alternative to the celebration of Valentine's Day. Parades usually start at 9 minutes past the hour, disrupting traffic during morning rush hours. They believe that by doing so the evil deeds will come up on them and spare the community, bringing them good luck. OC VEGAN FEST @ THE DEN DTSA - JUNE 25, 2022. Perbesar. We do the research so you dont have to! History of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. 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. This was to ensure the purification of the mind and body. The capital of Phuket province, Old Town is a place steeped in history. It is an occasion when Buddhists go to the temple to perform merit-making activities, such as alms giving, meditation and listening to teachings. How many days does the Vegetarian festival in Phuket last? Alternatively, simply look for the yellow flags which indicate that a food stall or restaurant is participating in Vegetarian Festival these can be found all around the city, even at 7-Eleven. As such, tourists who want to take advantage of this festival are advised to visit or stay near the oldest and major Chinese shrines on the island which includes: This shrine has been around for 100 years and it has been renovated a couple of times. "Vegetarian Festival" redirects here. The annual vegetarian festival will get under way between the first to the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. The most happening of all is the last day that marks the end of this festival. It runs for nine days and is considered a bizarre festival. Do not eat meat or other animal-based products during the festival. Fireworks are stopped at all the establishments and thrown at the devotees. Visitors from all over Thailand come to witness this unique event which has been celebrated since 1825. It celebrates the unique belief of the chinese community in the holiness of vegetarian food. Look for yellow flags with red Chinese or Thai characters to find vegetarian food stalls. 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. Vietnam stops Covid testing for all arrivals, Vietnam to treat foreign and domestic tourists alike: deputy PM. In accordance with the traditions, many religious mediums will conduct ritualized mutilation upon themselves and one another while under a trance-like state, including but not limited to: impaling through cheeks, arms, face, legs, back etc., with everything from as small as syringes to as large as is agreed upon between all members; partial skinning (the skin is not removed, just cut and flipped over); slashing of limbs, chest, stomach and especially tongue with swords, axes and knives; bloodletting; removal of tissue (normally limited to cysts) and intentionally wrapping or standing near fire crackers as they are lit. The Nine Emperor Gods. One example of a popular vegetarian snack is the vegetarian spring roll. From exploring stunning beaches to taking part in unique cultural activities, there is something for everyone. While the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is celebrated across Thailand, the said festival is most celebrated and observed in Phuket. The 2022 Phuket Vegetarian Festival (aka Nine Emperor Gods Festival) is taking place from 25 September - 5 October 2022. ), Do not eat food with a strong smell (garlic), Keep and wash cooking utensils separately from those used in the event. It is said that monks started remaining immobile in a temple during this time because they wanted to avoid killing insects and harming farmland. The devotees wear bright and very ornamented outfits, and then you are set for a full week of firecrackers, parades, piercings, and vegetarian food. Stages are also set up in the shrines for the festival. The 2022 Phuket Vegetarian Festival (aka Nine Emperor Gods Festival) is taking place from 25 September - 5 October 2022. The said acts are accomplished by select participants who serve as the gods mediums. Locally referred to as the Kin Jay Festival, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a festival of the Nine Emperor Gods festival in Phuket. Since then, the people of Phuket have continued to celebrate the festival. Pregnant women should not attend or watch any of the rituals. Vendors and proprietors of restaurants indicate that jeh food is for sale at their establishments by putting a yellow flag out with the word (jeh) written on it in red. If you find yourself in Phuket around September or October, spend some time at a colourful and unique festival. Khao Mok Kai () A dish that looks like chicken rice, but the chicken is replaced with tofu. Vivid nature, voluptuous landscapes and a vibrant culture collide with a painful past and optimistic future to make Laos an enigmatic experience for the adventurous. Presently, it is a public holiday in some of these countries. The festival always starts on the first day of the 9th Chinese lunar month (though the pole-raising ceremony is the night before). These events usually take place at temples throughout Phuket but some may also be seen in public areas like beaches or parks depending on where they are being held that year. The ceremonies of the Vegetarian Festival take place in six Chinese temples scattered throughout Phuket, Thailand. if(typeof(Boxzilla)!='undefined') {Boxzilla.on('box.show', function(box) { jQuery(".boxzilla input#btnNewsletterJoinUs").bind( "click", p1subscriber_handler ); });} }}); Jui Tui Shrine (Kew Ong) is one of the oldest and most important on Phuket Island. 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. The main events are held at the Jui Tui Shrine in Old Town Phuket and other temples throughout the city. Teams of people accompany the masong to keep their wounds clean and to help support the heavier piercings. If you want to write for us, please get in touch. 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. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival begins on the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so dates change annually. Devotees come out in bright traditional Chinese costumes and carry their household Gods to the big temples. Street processions often involve participants walking in a trance, running across a bed of burning coals, and climbing an 8-metre ladder of sharp blades. The Vegetarian Festival is celebrated to some extent in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and even Kuala Lumpur; however, the island of Phuket has the largest Peranakan Chinese population. [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. During the ritual, devotees will wait in the streets of Phuket town to send God Kiu Ong off to heaven. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of the celebration. This ceremony is usually calm and quiet.However, you can see a lot of buzz later in the week during the parades. The five most ancient Shrines are Put Jaw, Jui Tui, Bang Niew, Cherng Talay, and Kathu Shrine. These dishes also use protein substitutes such as soybeans which makes them almost impossible to distinguish from local dishes. This is done without anaesthetic, always inside or near the temples surrounded by other devotees with only iodine, petroleum jelly and surgical gloves as precautionary measures. Held at various locations throughout Phuket Island, this festival offers something for . The festival begins with a parade from Jui Tui Shrine to Sapan Hin, a public park located near the beach. Tourists can join in the lighting of candles and joss sticks before they are placed around the household gods. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of celebration. After ceremonially crossing the bridge, a red stamp of the gods is then placed on the back of participants to show they are already free from calamities and sin. The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming rebels. The sight of blood and mutilation is gory and might be very disturbing to some. Realistic vegetarian meats are used instead. This festival offers live music and games and is family- and pet-friendly. On the evening of the festivals last or ninth day, the celebrations end with a farewell and send-off ritual dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods and the Jade Emperor. The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival takes place during the 9th Lunar Month of the chinese calendar. 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