During the festival, ma song can be seen participating in a variety of rituals, such as piercing their cheeks with needles or swords, walking on hot coals, or climbing ladders made of sharp blades. 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. From luxurious resorts and hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses, visitors can find something that fits their needs and budget. Its a celebration of Chinese culture with an emphasis on vegan cuisine, street processions, and other religious rituals. The festival culminates with a grand procession on the last day where participants carry decorative floats around town before returning to their temples for blessings from monks. 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 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. Wednesday, May . This is Phuket's most famous and spectacular festival. These participants self-mutilations have become much more daring and spectacular with each passing year. Celebrations typically include preliminary music and dance performances, competitive processions of floats, dancers and musicians on the second day, and culminating on the third day in competitive firings of home-made rockets. Segregate your utensils from those who are not participating. Your guide to the perfect holiday in Thailand. 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. Participants usually walk on hot coals or pierce their cheeks with swords! 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 always has been my favourite Phuket event / festival and I always used to take too many photos! What to see at Phuket Vegetarian Festival? Otherwise it can land you in a mess. This festival offers live music and games and is family- and pet-friendly. Tourists can join in the lighting of candles and joss sticks before they are placed around the household gods. 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. The festival is celebrated by Chinese Hokkien descendants for the purposes of purifying body and mind, also to ensure a year of prosperity. The festival culminates with a parade featuring colorful floats decorated with lanterns that are carried through the streets accompanied by music and chanting. CONTACT USif you cannot find yours. Dr. Schneider was depicted on his research site in a National Geographic documentation by Morgan Freeman.[14]. Soups are another common dish served during the festival; they often contain vegetables, herbs, and spices simmered together in a flavorful broth base. Loy Krathong in Bangkok - Where to have the best celebration? The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique event that takes place annually in Thailand and draws visitors from around the world. See at the end of the page to read about a few popular dishes. No part of this website may be reproduced or used in any manner without written These are in the old streets, not expensive, renovated recently but small and bare. Mee Pad Jay () fried flat rice noodles or round egg yellow noodles with kale, one of the most popular vegetarian dishes during the festival. The shrine is located in the subdistrict of Kathu in the islands interior, between Phuket Town and Patong Beach. Reopening Myanmar Tourism: What to expect? We do the research so you dont have to! The temple houses 2 historical images that are believed to bring good luck. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the annual nine-day event taking place during the ninth Chinese lunar month. In addition, there are tons of food stores and street stalls that will sell vegetarian snacks and foods. It is a nine-day celebration of Chinese culture and vegetarianism that has been celebrated for over 200 years. 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. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Khmer: Preah Reach Pithi Chrot Preah Neangkol; Sinhala: Vap Magula; Thai: Phra Ratcha Phithi Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan) also known as The Ploughing Festival is an ancient royal rite held in many Asian countries to mark the traditional beginning of the rice growing season. Exercise self-control and behave in a respectful manner both physically and mentally. 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. The whole event is usually heavily sponsored. 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. Flight: The Phuket International Airport is the second busiest airport of Thailand after the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. We are looking for writers. OC VEGAN FEST @ THE DEN DTSA - JUNE 25, 2022. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await the arrival of their excellencies. From Thailand, it spread to other South and Southeast Asian countries. [6] Vegan food is prepared because it is considered the most pure. Keep yourself clean throughout the festival. Celebrate one of the most famous and spectacular cultural events in Phuket. Do not eat meat or other animal-based products during the festival. Our local guides are available to help with any questions you have about planning your trip to Thailand. [2] 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. Thursday, September 27, 2012. However, the two biggest processions are taken out from the Bang Neaw and Jui Tui shrines.Besides volume, the thing that sets Jui Tui apart is featuring women as Chinese Goddesses. Maintain clean bodies and clean kitchen utensils, using them separately from those who do not participate in the festival. Also to maintain purity devout festival participants abstain from sex, alcohol and stimulants during the festival. The best place to celebrate this festival in Phuket is Phuket Town, where the majority of the Chinese shrines are located and where most participants gather. It plays a significant role during the famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival, usually held in October and November. 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. The malaria-stricken Chinese opera group recovered from their illness and since then, the inhabitants of Phuket continue the festivals celebration. 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. The festival begins with a parade from Jui Tui Shrine to Sapan Hin, a public park located near the beach. Phuket is renowned for its vibrant and colourful festivals. These can be found in various forms such as stir-fried or soup-based dishes with vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and other plant-based ingredients. The most famous of these is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, held annually in October or November. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is an annual event that takes place over nine days during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. A Guide to Thailand for Families With Kids. Other locations around Phuket also host their own festivities during this time including street markets selling vegetarian food items as well as traditional Thai snacks like grilled bananas or sweet sticky rice cakes filled with coconut milk and sugar. Phuket Weather What is the best month to visit Phuket? Running for nine days, the vegetarian festival in Phuket is considered by many to be the most extreme and bizarre of festivals in Thailand. It is celebrated by Chinese Buddhists and Taoists who abstain from eating meat for nine days as a way to purify their bodies and minds. The Rocket Festival (Boun Bang Fai) is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced by ethnic Lao people near the beginning of the wet season in numerous villages and municipalities, in the regions of Northeastern Thailand and Laos. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Vietnam? History of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await for their arrival. 7.Tien-shih The official Phuket Vegetarian Festival website has a schedule of events, but information may or may not be available in English. Below are some of them: There is this belief within the Chinese community that fire can repel evil influence and overcome impurity. They must undergo a period of physical and spiritual preparation before the festival, including fasting and abstaining from meat and other stimulants. They can also be seen shaking their heads back and forth continually, and usually do not seem to "see" their surroundings. Presently, it is a public holiday in some of these countries. 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. 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. Weeks before the Vegetarian Festival events, yellow Chinese flags bloom on every roadside and intersection, especially near Chinese temples. Held at various locations throughout Phuket Island, this festival offers something for everyone to enjoy whether you are looking for delicious food or thrilling entertainment! In 2021 the festival was 5 - 15 October. 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. Koh Lanta Island. The royal ploughing ceremony, called Lehtun Mingala, or Mingala Ledaw, was also practiced in pre-colonial Burma until 1885 when the monarchy was abolished. The best place to book a hotel for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival and be near one of the parades would be one of the heritage hotels in Phuket town. As humans attempt purification using fire, they are actually overcoming their yin and making amends for their sins. The capital of Phuket province, Old Town is a place steeped in history. We recommend the following websites and resources to help in planning your perfect trip to Thailand. What to do in Phuket in 2023? Since a little girl, I was always dreaming of exploring the far-away lands, the unseen beauty spots of the world. In 2021 the festival was 5 - 15 October. Phone: 088 169 2595. Also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival or the Kin Jay Festival, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event celebrated primarily by the Chinese community in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia. The festival always starts on the first day of the 9th Chinese lunar month (though the pole-raising ceremony is the night before). 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 usually takes place during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which falls between September and October. 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. However, before the first day of the festival, a ceremonial pole raising must be conducted. 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. 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. The same applies to women who are pregnant or menstruating. How to register for Test & Go on Thailand Pass system? The Phuket Vegetarian Festival held in autumn - also known under its more Taoist-inspired name Nine Emperor Gods Festival - is no exception. [13] This might be generalizable to other religious practices where believers submit in devotion. From exploring stunning beaches to taking part in unique cultural activities, there is something for everyone. These packages often include discounts on accommodations as well as access to exclusive events such as cooking classes or traditional ceremonies. Pictures of the firecracker parade are more challenging, with a tremendous amount of suffocating smoke and loud noise. 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. 16. 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. So why not drop me a line today and start planning your dream Thai adventure! In pre-modern times, Magha Puja has been celebrated by some Southeast Asian communities. It is believed that while they are possessed the masong will not feel any pain. 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. They believe that by doing so the evil deeds will come up on them and spare the community, bringing them good luck. Masong are the people who invite the spirits of gods to possess their bodies. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. 125 N Broadway Santa Ana, CA. Long Hua, the 35th generation Taoist priest from Singapore, honouring the Northern Dipper stars prolongs one's life, eliminate calamities, and absolves sins and past debts of oneself and his family. Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Setiap manusia pasti memiliki kelebihan masing-masing yang membuat mereka menjadi unik. Angkor Wat Tours - How to See the City of Temples without the Crowds? Their needs and budget between September and October - 15 October famous Phuket Vegetarian is! 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