Most devotees stay at the temple, eat vegetarian meals and recite continuous chanting of prayer. 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. 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. One of the performers was sent to China to invite the Nine Emperor Gods (known as the Kiu Ong Iah) to Phuket. The popularity of this fantastic island comes from the incredibly vast range of attractions, activities and tours, from fabulous beaches and natural wo jQuery(document).ready(function() { if (typeof(p1subscriber_handler)=="function") { Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. 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. Angkor Wat Tours - How to See the City of Temples without the Crowds? Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Setiap manusia pasti memiliki kelebihan masing-masing yang membuat mereka menjadi unik. 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. 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 Vegetarian Festival in Thailand is an annual event celebrated by the Chinese community in Thailand. 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No matter what type of accommodation option you choose while visiting Phuket for the Vegetarian Festival, be sure to book early if possible since rooms tend to fill up quickly during this time of year due to high demand from tourists who come from all over the world just for this event. Popular dishes are vegetarian pink noodle soup, which uses mushrooms to substitute pork blood cubes, fried tofu, deep-fried spring roll, and fried taro.[8]. One of the most popular dishes served during the festival is noodles. As with any religious festival, enjoy watching, but keep your distance. Though not as well known by visitors as larger Chinese shrines like Jui Tui Shrine in Phukets Old Town area, Sam Kong Shrine is a revered place Sam Sae Chu Hut Chinese Shrine is a modest and discreet Chinese shrine located near the intersection of Khaw Sim Bee Road and Mae Luan Road, on the way up to Khao Rang Hill in Phuket Town; opened in May 2002. 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. Pictures of the firecracker parade are more challenging, with a tremendous amount of suffocating smoke and loud noise. Phuket is renowned for its vibrant and colourful festivals. Why do Phuketians celebrate it? Either are you wondering about best time to visit, visa policy, or how to get the cheapest flight, we have your back! During this time, devotees observe a strict vegetarian diet and take part in various religious ceremonies to honor the Nine Emperor Gods. Here, they will meditate, pray, study, and teach other young monks. What to do & where to celebrate the New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai, What to do and where to Celebrate Your New Year's Eve in Bangkok. Inland Empire IE Vegan Sundays. In addition, there are tons of food stores and street stalls that will sell vegetarian snacks and foods. A few of the major shrines in Phuket for witnessing ceremonies include: The festivities move between various temples throughout the celebration; picking up a schedule of events will help you be in the right place at the right time. This year, it . There are also performances by local musicians playing drums and gongs to accompany the procession. Apparently, traveling monks were crossing through fields, thus destroying the crops of villagers and farmers. It is a good idea to stay well away from this deafening and sometimes frightening aspect of the Vegetarian Festival. WHAT MORE? [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). Thailands many festivals are always a marvel and something everyone should experience at least once. The shrine is located in the subdistrict of Kathu in the islands interior, between Phuket Town and Patong Beach. The festival begins by the raising of a 10-meter-tall bamboo pole in all Chinese shrines across the island. Your guide to the perfect holiday in Thailand. While most Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town is one of Phuket's oldest and most revered Chinese shrines. 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. The walk on the fire is another challenging photo to capture, as you must come early to secure the best spot. During this festival, participants observe a strict vegetarian diet for nine days as part of their spiritual journey. The participants who prepare to volunteer their bodies to the gods are called the Ma Song. It celebrates the unique belief of the chinese community in the holiness of vegetarian food. Discover a different side of Thailand this year book your trip today! The whole event is usually heavily sponsored. A procession which draws scores of devotees sends the deities back home. Ma song are typically chosen by the community and undergo a rigorous selection process. 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. If you're looking for advice on planning the perfect trip to Thailand, I'm your man and can help you with everything from finding the best beaches and diving spots, to booking accommodation and tours. Experiencing the festival for the first time is life-changing as it really needs to be seen to be believed. Devotees not only adopt a special diet for the holiday, a select few participants prove their devotion by practicing self-mutilation. Weeks before the Vegetarian Festival events, yellow Chinese flags bloom on every roadside and intersection, especially near Chinese temples. The festival is becoming more eventful year after year. The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival takes place during the 9th Lunar Month of the chinese calendar. Most devotees come here to pray for good health or simply pray for the healing of certain health issues. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival begins on the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so dates change annually. Various gory spectacles, perilous events and parades taking place, from sword piercings, fire walking, etc Please feel free to, Ma Song Spirit Mediums, Ritual Piercings, and Self, FAQs in Relation to Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Location: Phuket Town. Perbesar. Phuket Governor faces taxi doubleheader at Phuket International airport. 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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. The festival runs for nine days and is observed in other Asian countries as well. But there is far more to this celebration than food. For other festivals, see, Nine Emperor Gods Festival celebration in popular folk culture. The main events are held at the Jui Tui Shrine in Old Town Phuket and other temples throughout the city. The said acts are accomplished by select participants who serve as the gods mediums. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is commonly celebrated from late September to October and the exact dates can change depending on the lunar calendar of the Chinese. 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Did you know this program is available ON-Demand by visiting the Science in Action Page, it will be available until Thursday the 2nd of March.It will also be broadcast on Sunday the 26th of February in Phuket at 9:00 AM on 91.5 FM and 102.5 FM and Online via the Internet radio portals. But dont get too excited about this event until you have read our bottom line in this article or you might regret later. The procession walks from an ahm to Phuket town. The streets are filled with people walking barefoot over hot coals or climbing ladders made of blades as part of their spiritual journey. If you find yourself in Phuket around September or October, spend some time at a colourful and unique festival. These ceremonies are definitely not for the faint of heart! Songkran in Phuket: Where to join the water fight? Since the arrival of the gods is believed to be through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the sea shore or river to symbolize this belief. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed.[4][5]. Full Moon Party in Thailand: The Ultimate Guide to Koh Phangans Iconic Event! In Phuket culture, this is considered the most important festival of all. These rituals are seen as acts of spiritual devotion and self-mortification, and are believed to bring good fortune and blessings to the community. 16. According to tradition and belief, the purpose of the vegetarian festival is for participants to obtain peace of mind and good health. It always has been my favourite Phuket event / festival and I always used [] Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the most popular in town for a reason. While the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is celebrated across Thailand, the said festival is most celebrated and observed in Phuket. Some resorts even provide complimentary transportation from nearby airports or train stations so you dont have to worry about getting around town once you arrive in Phuket. On their arrival, the entire band got inflicted with a deadly Malaria pandemic. The abstinence from eating any kind of me. Come and experience the joy of Thailands Phuket Vegetarian Festival! According To Priest Long Hua, the 35th Generation Leader of Long Shan Men Taoist Sect (Singapore), honouring the Northern Dipper stars prolongs one's life, eliminate calamities, and absolves sins and past debts of oneself and his family. CONTACT USif you cannot find yours. It celebrates a gathering that was held between the Buddha and 1,250 of his first disciples, which, according to tradition, preceded the custom of periodic recitation of discipline by monks. It always has been my favourite Phuket event / festival and I always used to take too many photos! Nine Emperor Gods are actually high-ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues. Its 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. Songkran in Chiang Mai: What to do during the Festival? The BRUTAL Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Not for the faint of heart! Phuket Town A Walking Guide to Old Phuket Town Rang Hill in Phuket Born in France a long long time ago, I started to travel the world early and never stopped until I settled in Thailand in 1994. White clothes must be worn during the festival. 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. Visitors from all over Thailand come to witness this unique event which has been celebrated since 1825. 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