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. During these nine days, participants abstain from eating meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products, as well as pungent vegetables, such as onion and garlic, which are believed to be "heating" and contribute to aggression and lust. Festivities will be observed in all of Phuket Islands Chinese shrines. The official Phuket Vegetarian Festival website has a schedule of events, but information may or may not be available in English. 5.San-kuan Three Officials Various cultural shows featuring Thai dance performances, martial arts demonstrations and more are often held during the festival. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival begins on the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so dates change annually. Songkran in Phuket: Where to join the water fight? The festival begins with a parade from each participating temple around the city center. ), Do not eat food with a strong smell (garlic), Keep and wash cooking utensils separately from those used in the event. Bamboo poles are removed from the shrines the following day and safely out back for the next year. 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. A Message from VegEvents. Loy Krathong in Bangkok - Where to have the best celebration? The role of ma song at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique and intriguing aspect of the event, and their participation in the spiritual rituals adds an extra layer of cultural significance and tradition to the festival. According to Long Hua, this information is inaccurate and considered derogatory to the actual teachings of Taoism as the Nine Emperor Gods are actually high-ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues. It runs for nine days and is considered a bizarre festival. The Phuket vegetarian festival has something special for all who attend and it will surely leave a lasting impression on your trip to Thailand. 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. 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. The ceremonies of the Vegetarian Festival take place in six Chinese temples scattered throughout Phuket, Thailand. To have the best shot of the most gruesome actions on the street, we recommend booking your accommodation in the center of Phuket. 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. Women experiencing their menstrual cycle should not attend the rituals. Observe proper hygiene practices to maintain the purity of the festival. 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. Tourists can look for yellow-coloured flags with red Thai or Chinese characters to find the stall selling these vegetarian dishes. 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. 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. Typically the festival is held in autumn, near the end of September and beginning of October. Anything goes; the weirder, the better. 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]. Joss sticks and candles are lit before placing the Gods in the temples. Phuket Weather What is the best month to visit Phuket? History of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. 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. 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. Copy Link. On the last day, devotees from all the Chinese shrines assemble in Phuket town and walk towards the Saphan Hin. The temple houses 2 historical images that are believed to bring good luck. Established in 1904, this shrine boasts dragon pillars and colourful paintings of stories and creatures believed to bring good luck and prosperity to devotees. For the next few days, the local Chinese/Thai community brings their household gods to the temple, along with offerings of food and drink. Come and experience the joy of Thailands Phuket Vegetarian Festival! 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. When: Every other Sunday, 12-4pm Popular folk culture has it that the Nine Emperor Gods are actually sea pirates of the Ming dynasty that plotted to overthrow the Qing dynasty. The best place to grab some vegan dishes is Warorot Market, Chiang Mais oldest market. Locally referred to as the Kin Jay Festival, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a festival of the Nine Emperor Gods festival in Phuket. In 2021 the festival was 5 - 15 October. 125 N Broadway Santa Ana, CA. On the day, Buddhists celebrate the creation of an ideal and exemplary community, which is why it is sometimes called Sagha Day, the Sagha referring to the Buddhist community, and for some Buddhist schools this is specifically the monastic community. When is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival? In addition, there are tons of food stores and street stalls that will sell vegetarian snacks and foods. My name is Jolie, I am a Vietnamese girl growing up in the countryside of Hai Duong, northern Vietnam. [7] Bangkok and Chiang Mai also have many vendors selling vegan food during the festival. Wu, Jave (2008), Celebration 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). During this 9-day period, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a vegetarian or vegan diet for the purpose of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. 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 BRUTAL Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Not for the faint of heart! 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. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, also referred to as the Kin Jay Festival or the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is a yearly event celebrated in Thailand primarily by the Chinese community. 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. There are a number of rituals or events to see during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. While most Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town is one of Phuket's oldest and most revered Chinese shrines. Songkran in Chiang Mai: What to do during 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. According to Rev. Bertrand Linet on Flickr, Golden Lantern pole raising at the Phuket Vegetarian festival. What is the Difference between Laos & Thai Papaya Salad. The street is filled with dense smoke and the loud noise of fireworks. We post the unavoidable piercing photos everyone has already seen or shot themselves here. To achieve this, participants refrain from taking various stimulants and avoid eating meat. Wednesday, May . According to Priest Long Hua, this information is inaccurate and considered derogatory to the actual teachings of Taoism as the. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Thailand? 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 . Why do Phuketians celebrate it? In addition to eating pure food, festival participants must keep their thoughts pure and wear white as a symbol of purity. Jui Tui Shrine is the main temple located in Phuket Old Town. So why not drop me a line today and start planning your dream Thai adventure! Soups are another common dish served during the festival; they often contain vegetables, herbs, and spices simmered together in a flavorful broth base. It is a nine-day Taoist celebration starting on the eve of the ninth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Fireworks are stopped at all the establishments and thrown at the devotees. This year, the event will take place from 15th to 23rd October 2023. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. During the festival, ma song are treated with reverence and respect, and are seen as spiritual leaders and guides. These rituals are seen as acts of spiritual devotion and self-mortification, and are believed to bring good fortune and blessings to the community. "Vegetarian Festival" redirects here. In Cambodia, ancient and modern worlds collide to create an authentic adventure. Phuket Vegetarian Festival Sep 25, 2022 - Oct 4, 2022. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is an annual event that takes place over nine days during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Then, participants must observe or follow certain rules or commitments for nine days which include the following. Phuket gears up for 9-day vegetarian festival. 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. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Vietnam? The festival culminates with a parade featuring colorful floats decorated with lanterns that are carried through the streets accompanied by music and chanting. Koh Lanta island is one of the most popular destinations for new years eve party in Thailand for backpackers. 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. Thursday, September 27, 2012. 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