It was founded more than 80 years ago by the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket. It attracts thousands of tourists annually with most visitors coming from other Asian destinations, especially from China. The purpose of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, which seems to originate in 1800, seems to differ from the Chinese event in several South-East Asia countries. 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. [8] Hat Yai had more than 100 vegetarian food stalls during the 2022 festival. Phone: 088 169 2595. The festival also includes a vegetarian diet which consists of only vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The festival runs for nine days and is observed in other Asian countries as well. Dr. Schneider was depicted on his research site in a National Geographic documentation by Morgan Freeman.[14]. 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. Protein substitutes allow these vegetarian dishes to taste, and look like and replace fish, chicken, and pork in Thai cuisine. Keep yourself clean throughout the festival. Where to celebrate Loy Krathong Festival in Phuket? This ceremony is usually calm and quiet.However, you can see a lot of buzz later in the week during the parades. Reopening Myanmar Tourism: What to expect? Participants wear white clothing to signify purity while taking part in rituals such as fire-walking and body piercing with metal rods or blades. It is assumed that the household gods will benefit from an annual injection of spiritual energy that fills the temple. I'm a lover of all things adventurous with a particular passion for scuba diving and exploring Thailand's beautiful islands and beaches. Sat, Jul 2, 11:00 AM. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colorful annual event held on the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually in September or October. From exploring stunning beaches to taking part in unique cultural activities, there is something for everyone. Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2023 | Tickets Dates & Venues - CarniFest.com Festival Phuket Street Parade Thailand Traditional Events Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2023 Where: Phuket, Thailand When: Friday, October 13, 2023 - Sunday, October 22, 2023 Add Comment Photo: www.tourismthailand.org All acts of Sexual intercourse must be avoided during the festival. Yen Ta Fo () is a pink-coloured soup with noodles served in a broth seasoned with fermented and pungent red bean curd. To achieve this, soybean and protein substitutes are used to replace meat and are shaped to look like the animal products they represent, often with a cartoon-like aesthetic. Today, most Nine Emperor God temples do not acknowledge the existence of Dou Fu Yuan Jun. 7.Tien-shih Only pure, unmarried men or women without families of their own can become masong. The festival always starts on the first day of the 9th Chinese lunar month (though the pole-raising ceremony is the night before). The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival occurs on the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar (often, around October) and spans nine days, where participants - usually of Chinese ancestry- undergo a strict vegetarian diet during the period. 20 Date Ideas in Bangkok: Romantic, Fun, Unusual, or Free, What to Wear for Rainy Season in Thailand: Essential Things to Pack, Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting Surin Beach, Monitor Lizards in Thailand: Things You Should Know. Read along to know about the most peculiar festival in Phuket- The Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The same applies to women who are pregnant or menstruating. 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. 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. Get ready to explore what the Phuket Vegetarian Festival has to offer; we will provide insight into where it happens, what activities can be experienced during the festival, different types of food offerings available as well as accommodation options so you dont miss out on any part of this extraordinary cultural experience! They can also be seen shaking their heads back and forth continually, and usually do not seem to "see" their surroundings. 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. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Laos? The worshipers will follow the ten principles mentioned above to cleanse their spirits. [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). How many days does the Vegetarian festival in Phuket last? To have the best shot of the most gruesome actions on the street, we recommend booking your accommodation in the center of Phuket. The procession will then start, leading the devotees from one shrine to another. Shops in Phuket and throughout Thailand display red and yellow jay flags to indicate they are serving appropriate vegan food for observant participants. 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") { But dont get too excited about this event until you have read our bottom line in this article or you might regret later. The said acts are accomplished by select participants who serve as the gods mediums. Please get in touch using the quick form below: Our staff can also answer any questions you might have about Thailand. The walk on the fire is another challenging photo to capture, as you must come early to secure the best spot. [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. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of the celebration. As mentioned earlier, there are over 40 Chinese Shrines in Phuket and all of them participate in the festival. 31. "STREET PROCESSION RITUAL"The Vegetarian Festival celebrates the belief of a Chinese community in Phuket, Thailand. The main events are held at the Jui Tui Shrine in Old Town Phuket and other temples throughout the city. This year, the event will take place from 15th to 23rd October 2023. The shrine is located in the subdistrict of Kathu in the islands interior, between Phuket Town and Patong Beach. From luxurious resorts and hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses, visitors can find something that fits their needs and budget. This study has been made possible through the support by Fulbright Scholar grant PD2082693, the National Research Council of Thailand in Bangkok, and the members of the Phuket Provincial Cultural Office. There's a magic about this charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors. During the festival, ma song are treated with reverence and respect, and are seen as spiritual leaders and guides. [12] While in Western cultures dominance is seen as a cherished goal, Schneider observed an unusual appreciation of submission amongst the Ma Song. What is the meaning of Thingyan Festival Myanmar New Year? An annual event, the vegetarian festival is a misnomer and is primarily celebrated by the Chinese communities in Thailand.It goes on for nine days and is considered to be one of the most bizarre and extreme festivals in the country. The sight of blood and mutilation is gory and might be very disturbing to some. 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. After graduating from the univesity of language in Hanoi, I started the exploration with a travel agency and learning more about travel, especially responsible travel. Address: Bang Neow intersection, Phuket Road, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000. In 2021 the festival was 5 - 15 October. During the New Year's celebration, Hmong dress in traditional clothing and enjoy Hmong traditional foods, dance, music, bull fights, and other forms of entertainment. After catching wind of this, Buddha decided that in order to avoid damaging crops, hurting insects, or harming themselves during the rainy season, monks should remain in their temples during these three months. While most Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town is one of Phuket's oldest and most revered Chinese shrines. Presently, it is a public holiday in some of these countries. Songkran in Chiang Mai: What to do during the Festival? Visit the empty Angkor Wat? It always has been my favourite Phuket event / festival and I always used [] The masong tradition which is similar to Tng-ki also exist among the Chinese communities in Singapore and Malaysia during this festival. 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. As such, tourists who fancy eating meat dishes such as steaks or grilled meats wont really be deprived of their protein source during the festivities. It offers a unique opportunity to explore Thai culture and cuisine in an exciting way. Text and Photos are Copyright Phuket 101 and Willy Thuan 2011 - 2023 - Copy or use of images or texts without written authorization is strictly prohibited (Credit to or mention of the blog does not constitute authorization). Pregnant women should not attend or watch any of the rituals. These are in the old streets, not expensive, renovated recently but small and bare. 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. Most devotees stay at the temple, eat vegetarian meals, maintain celibacy and recite continuous chanting of prayer. 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. ), Do not eat food with a strong smell (garlic), Keep and wash cooking utensils separately from those used in the event. White clothes must be worn during the festival. In Thailand, the Pli term Mgha-praam is also used for the celebration, meaning 'to honor on the full moon of the third lunar month'. Flight: The Phuket International Airport is the second busiest airport of Thailand after the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. 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. Here, they will meditate, pray, study, and teach other young monks. 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. 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. According to tradition and belief, the purpose of the vegetarian festival is for participants to obtain peace of mind and good health. Vegetarian Festival Phuket 4.5 37 #16 of 38 things to do in Patong Cultural Events Visit website Write a review About Celebrated over 9 days in October, this Chinese festival dictates a strict vegetarian diet and period of abstinence whilst locals pray to the Nine Emperor Gods. History of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Reopening Thailand: Everything you need to know when traveling during covid, Songkran in Bangkok - Sacred Tradition Vs. Crazy Water Fight. An important procession that draws thousands of devotees to send the Nine Emperor Gods back via waterways. Participants usually walk on hot coals or pierce their cheeks with swords! You can see these everywhere from Chiang Mai to Bangkok to Thailand's many islands. My dream has been growing bigger and bigger day after day, and I do not miss a chance to make it real. Asia Reopening Which countries are open for tourism and travel now? Some examples include tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup) and kaeng jued wan (vegetable clear soup). The festival in Thailand also includes special programs and specific local patterns like Bung Fai (Parade dance) and a Beautiful Bung Fai float such as Yasothon the third weekend of May, and continues Suwannaphum District, Roi Et on the first weekend of June, Phanom Phrai District Roi Et during the full moon of the seventh month in Lunar year's calendar each year. Inland Empire IE Vegan Sundays. The street is filled with dense smoke and the loud noise of fireworks. 1.Yu-huang -The Jade Emperor 6.San-yuan Three Epochs Pictures of the firecracker parade are more challenging, with a tremendous amount of suffocating smoke and loud noise. Once the pole is erected, the Hindu God Shiva descends, as per the celebrants belief. Full Moon Party in Thailand: The Ultimate Guide to Koh Phangans Iconic Event! The rituals, which last for nine days, are performed to purify both body and mind. Luang Prabang Authorities Release 2022 Lao New Year Events Schedule, Luang Prabang City and Kuang Si Waterfall Win ASEAN Tourism Awards, Luang Prabang Holds First Boat Racing Festival After Years of Covid-19, Neak Pean Temple - The Entwining Serpents. 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. Hmong New Year celebrations have Hmong ethnic traditions and culture and may also serve to educate those who have an interest in Hmong tradition. These rituals are seen as acts of spiritual devotion and self-mortification, and are believed to bring good fortune and blessings to the community. 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. ", "The Most Colorful Festivals Worth Attending In Thailand", "15 years later, a vegan pioneer still sets the standard", "Celebrating the Vegetarian Festival 2022: where to go and what to eat", "Hat Yai prepares for start of the vegetarian festival on Monday", "How to Experience the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in Thailand", "NTU team to study popular Taoist festival of the Nine Emperor Gods", "Nine Emperor Gods Festival celebrated with many people of all races and religions", Nine Emperor Gods Temple in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2018 | Nine Emperor Gods Festival 2018 - Video, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nine_Emperor_Gods_Festival&oldid=1127955778, Tan Lang Tai Xing Jun ()1st Star (Visible) Bayer: UMa, Ju Men Yuan Xing Jun () 2nd Star (Visible) Bayer: UMa, Lu Cun Zhen Xing Jun () 3rd Star (Visible) Bayer: UMa, Wen Qu Niu Xing Jun () 4th Star (Visible) Bayer: UMa, Lian Zhen Gang Xing Jun () 5th Star (Visible) Bayer: UMa, Wu Qu Ji Xing Jun () 6th Star (Visible) Bayer: UMa, Po Jun Guan Xing Jun () 7th Star (Visible) Bayer: UMa, Zuo Fu Da Dao Xing Jun () 8th Star (Invisible), You Bi Da Dao Xing Jun () 9th Star (Invisible), This page was last edited on 17 December 2022, at 16:13. Pchum Ben Cambodia Festival for the Ancestors, Pha That Luang - The Sparkling Golden Stupa in Vientiane, Phimeanakas Temple & the Legends of 9-headed Serpent, Phnom Bakheng - Chasing Sunset on the Sacred Hill of Gods, Phnom Kulen - Lost World Inside the National Park, Phu Quoc Sandbox: Vietnam first initiative to reopen tourism. Copy Link. At the temple during the festival there is also firewalking and blade-ladder climbing. Realistic vegetarian meats are used instead. Ma song are typically chosen by the community and undergo a rigorous selection process. Either are you wondering about best time to visit, visa policy, or how to get the cheapest flight, we have your back! According to Rev. 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. The festival culminates with an extravagant procession featuring elaborately decorated floats and participants dressed in white or yellow clothing carrying joss sticks and firecrackers. Bertrand Linet on Flickr, Golden Lantern pole raising at the Phuket Vegetarian festival. 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. During the main ritual at the temples, the Ma Song fall into a trance and pierce their cheeks with ritual objects, including knives, spears, relics, and other items of personal significance. You will still see them out during the day. Do not eat meat or other animal-based products during the festival. Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the most popular in town for a reason. The festival is famous for its 'extreme' celebrations. Nine Emperor Gods are actually high-ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues. 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Apparently, traveling monks were crossing through fields, thus destroying the crops of villagers and farmers. The Shrine of the Serene Light, locally known as Sang Tham Shrine, is a beautifully decorated Chinese Temple on Phang Nga Road, one of the most famous streets of Phuket Town. 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Sign up for our newsletter to receive special offers, news and great events. 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 . When: Every other Sunday, 12-4pm 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. 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. Although it may be referred to as Vegetarian Festival, the food sold and consumed is vegan. [10] Many varieties of tofu are prepared and sold during the festival. Since the arrival of the Nine Emperor Gods is believed to be descending through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the seashore or river to symbolize this belief. Many of these vegetarian dishes aren't easily distinguishable from regular Thai dishes. However, before the first day of the festival, a ceremonial pole raising must be conducted. Look for yellow flags with red Chinese or Thai characters to find vegetarian food stalls. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival could be Thailand's answer to the Tamil festival of Thaipusam celebrated in neighboring Malaysia. Whether you are looking for accommodation or just want to sample some of the local delicacies, make sure you dont miss out on this incredible event! San Diego's biggest vegan festival is held at Encinitas' own outdoor bazaar. While Jui Tui literally translates to water mortar, this shrine is of great significance during the celebration of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Then for the past 27 years, my passion for photography and my natural curiosity has taken me to every corner of Thailand, jumping frequently between Bangkok and Phuket and basically everywhere I could go. 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. Its an important site during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival, when thousands of devotees come to hold ceremonies and eat vegetarian food during the events nine days. One member of the opera group was then sent back to China to call on the Kiu Ong lah or the Nine Emperor Gods. I also love exploring the many ancient ruins and historical sites throughout Thailand. 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. Thursday, September 27, 2012. 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! 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. During a period of nine days, those who are participating in the festival dress all in white and ghin jeh , which has come to be translated as abstinence from eating meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy products. 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. These include invoking the gods through different self-mutilating acts such as body piercing and fire walking. Koh Lanta Island. You have to refrain from all sorts of intoxication. This procession symbolizes the purification of the body and soul before entering into a period of abstinence from meat consumption during the festival days. If in doubt, just go toward the noise and chaos! We post the unavoidable piercing photos everyone has already seen or shot themselves here. Participants believe that their household gods will be benefiting from the yearly infusion of spiritual power from the temples. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket typically lasts for nine days. Don't get in the way of participants who prepared for weeks before the event. Most restaurants in and around Phuket remain shut during the festival. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique and exciting experience that will leave you with lasting memories. 31 Okt 2018, 09:02 WIB. 2.San-ching -Three Pure Ones We believe you have the right to arm yourselves with as much information as possible before making any decision. 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. Once, we even saw a full collection of fake sushi, all made of rice and tofu! Subsequently, the festival has grown and developed into a spectacular yearly event in Phuket. All Rights Reserved. Even so, most injuries are usually sustained from the indiscriminate use of firecrackers. Raising the Lantern Pole, as stated earlier, is the very first event of the festival and is meant to notify the nine Chinese gods that the festival has started. In the past, monks were not even allowed to leave the temple, but today, most monks just refrain from traveling during this period. 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. We do the research so you dont have to! How to register for Test & Go on Thailand Pass system? 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. The irony is that real vegetables are hard to find: you mostly will find noodles, deep-fried stuff, and tofu shaped like meat, but no vegetables. It always has been my favourite Phuket event / festival and I always used to take too many photos! During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests or mediums are heard. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. The ninth day of the festival is its climax. 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. Consists of only vegetables, fruits, and teach other young monks event / festival and i do eat... Vegan food for observant participants and other temples throughout the nine days of the Phuket Vegetarian could. These rituals are seen as spiritual leaders and guides about Thailand in Hmong.... As acts of spiritual devotion and self-mortification, and look like and replace fish, chicken, and pork Thai.. [ 14 ] & # x27 ; s biggest vegan festival a! 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