Some examples include tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup) and kaeng jued wan (vegetable clear soup). 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. During this time, there are many food offerings available for visitors to enjoy without having to worry about consuming any animal products. For 9 days, participants observe the following commitments: The often-gruesome ceremonies during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival are definitely not recommended for the faint-hearted. Processions on the streets will usually have participants climbing an eight-metre ladder full of sharp blades, running across burning coals, and walking in a trance. Legend has it a 19 th century Chinese opera group fell sick when touring Phuket. Curries are also a staple offering at the festival; these range from mild coconut milk-based curries like green curry to spicier varieties such as red curry or Massaman curry. According to Rev. Vietnam or Thailand Travel: Which one should you visit? The procession walks from an ahm to Phuket town. 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. Various cultural shows featuring Thai dance performances, martial arts demonstrations and more are often held during the festival. Presently, it is a public holiday in some of these countries. permission of the copyright owner except of the use of quotations in a book review. The opera group made a complete recovery and the epidemic ceased. As such, tourists who want to experience the full-on spectacle of the festival should proceed to Phuket Island. Aside from the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Phuket also celebrates the Loi Krathong Festival, the Chinese New Year, and the Por Tor, or the Festival of the Hungry Ghost. This parade features colorful floats, marching bands, and dancers dressed in traditional costumes. Food offerings play an important role during this time too as its believed that offering vegetarian dishes will bring good luck to those who partake in them. 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. This ceremony is usually calm and quiet.However, you can see a lot of buzz later in the week during the parades. The procession will then start, leading the devotees from one shrine to another. Today, most Nine Emperor God temples do not acknowledge the existence of Dou Fu Yuan Jun. Below are some of them: There is this belief within the Chinese community that fire can repel evil influence and overcome impurity. 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). Best Family Resorts in Bang Tao and Laguna Phuket, Cannabis in Thailand: What You Need to Know, Thailand Health Advice: Be Safe and Healthy During Your Trip, How to Catch the Sunrise at Phu Chi Fah, Chiang Rai, Celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand: A Guide for Tourists, How to Rent a Yacht in Phuket: A Step-by-Step Guide, Hiking in Thailand: Discovering the Epic Natural Beauty of Thailand. Pregnant women should not attend or watch any of the rituals. Protein substitutes allow these vegetarian dishes to taste, and look like and replace fish, chicken, and pork in Thai cuisine. Locally referred to as the Kin Jay Festival, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a festival of the Nine Emperor Gods festival in Phuket. While it is often associated with blood and gore, the festival is deep-rooted in tradition and the ancient beliefs of the local Chinese community. The Vegetarian Festival in Thailand is an annual event celebrated by the Chinese community in Thailand. What to eat during Phuket Vegetarian Festival? The town has a number of major Chinese Shrines and a lot of the restaurants replace their menus during the festivities to only do vegetarian dishes. This festival can trace its origins to the belief of the Chinese community that abstaining from various stimulants and meat products can help in obtaining peace of mind and good health. Many of these establishments feature amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning units, swimming pools, fitness centers, and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine without breaking your budget. Come join us at Phuket's premier vegan restaurant during the annual vegetarian festival where we have a special dedicated vegetarian menu on offer for all of those following the event. According to tradition, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival aims to bring good health and peace of mind by abstaining from meat, certain drinks, and activities that are considered impure or unclean. [6] 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. They can also be seen shaking their heads back and forth continually, and usually do not seem to "see" their surroundings. We wont even spare you the gross tongue sliding on a giant blade. One of the most popular dishes served during the festival is noodles. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival (or Nine Emperor Gods Festival) happens once a year, during the ninth lunar month, and is one of the most auspicious events on Phuket island. For other festivals, see, Nine Emperor Gods Festival celebration in popular folk culture. Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colorful annual festival held in September or October in China.The festival is celebrated because of the Chinese community's . Por Pia Tod Jay () Deep-fried spring rolls. One of the oldest shrines on the island, Kathu Shrine is believed to have been the first shrine to observe the festivities of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. It is a nine-day celebration that takes place during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar and usually falls between October and November. The Chinese followed the tradition of refraining from eating meat, drinking alcoholic drinks, engaging in sex, quarrelling, telling lies or killing. We post the unavoidable piercing photos everyone has already seen or shot themselves here. Running for nine days, the vegetarian festival in Phuket is considered by many to be the most extreme and bizarre of festivals in Thailand. Participants, both women, and men will pierce their cheeks with skewers and knives, and other similar items. 16. Refrain from sexual activities during the festival. 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. [3] 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). According to tradition and belief, the purpose of the vegetarian festival is for participants to obtain peace of mind and good health. Here, they will meditate, pray, study, and teach other young monks. 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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. 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. It was also reported that Chinese temples in Hat Yai stockpiled vegetarian food in advance of the festival and hired more people. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an outstanding week-long event. Participants usually walk on hot coals or pierce their cheeks with swords! Hmong New Year celebrations frequently occur in November and December (traditionally at the end of the harvest season when all work is done), serving as a Thanksgiving holiday for the Hmong people. 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 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. 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. Cindy quit her 9 to 5 job to pursue her passion for exploring mesmerizing locations in Thailand. Thursday, September 27, 2012. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed.[4][5]. 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