Beach guides, things to do and hand-picked villa and hotel advice. The opera group made a complete recovery and the epidemic ceased. Khao Mok Kai () A dish that looks like chicken rice, but the chicken is replaced with tofu. What is Nine Emperor Gods Festival? The Vegetarian Festival is an internationally known event, and while it also happens modestly in Bangkok around the same dates, it is mostly a Phuket event. 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. Below are some of them: There is this belief within the Chinese community that fire can repel evil influence and overcome impurity. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Cambodia? The masong tradition which is similar to Tng-ki also exist among the Chinese communities in Singapore and Malaysia during this festival. Observe proper hygiene practices to maintain the purity of the festival. In pre-modern times, Magha Puja has been celebrated by some Southeast Asian communities. Khanom Jeen Jay () thin cold rice noodles served with a curry sauce and with tofu and mushrooms. 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. The festival culminates with an extravagant procession featuring elaborately decorated floats and participants dressed in white or yellow clothing carrying joss sticks and firecrackers. Pregnant women should not watch any of the rituals. The Bung Fai festival is not only found in Isan or Northeasthern Thailand and North Thailand and Laos, but also in Amphoe Sukhirin, Narathiwat. For several days, on both sides of Phuket Town streets leading to shrines, food stands display tons of vegetarian dishes in all imaginable shapes and sizes (but often have a very similar taste). The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming loyalists. Don't get in the way of participants who prepared for weeks before the event. 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. 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. The ceremonies take place in the vicinity of 6 Chinese temples in Phuket. This ceremony is usually calm and quiet.However, you can see a lot of buzz later in the week during the parades. Its truly one of the most unique things you will ever experience. These markets are open from 5pm and are easy to access from Hua Lumphong MRT station. It is a nine-day Taoist celebration starting on the eve of the ninth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. if(typeof(Boxzilla)!='undefined') {Boxzilla.on('box.show', function(box) { jQuery(".boxzilla input#btnNewsletterJoinUs").bind( "click", p1subscriber_handler ); });} }}); Jui Tui Shrine (Kew Ong) is one of the oldest and most important on Phuket Island. Both air-conditioned as well as non-air-conditioned buses are available at different prices. In Thailand, this festival is called thetsakan kin che (), the Vegetarian Festival. Tired of reading, listen to our podcast below: The Hmong New Year celebration is a cultural tradition that takes place annually in select areas where large Hmong communities exist and in a modified form where smaller communities come together. During the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Thai restaurants serving meat are open as usual. Vegetarian Festival is not limited to Phuket, as it is celebrated throughout Thailand, particularly in cities with large Chinese populations, such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai. What is the vegetarian festival in Thailand? 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. Other Places to Celebrate Vegetarian Festival in Thailand, The official Phuket Vegetarian Festival website, Yi Peng - The Magnificent Chiang Mai Lantern Festival of Light, Loy Krathong - The Magnificent Thai Lantern Festival of Light, Dragon Dances & Other New Years Traditions In Asia, Songkran - Everything about Thailand New Years Water Festival, Ultimate Guide to Koh Phangan Full Moon Party, Thailand, [Updated March 15th, 2022] Vietnam resumes visa exemption for 13 countries, 10 Biggest Festivals, Events, and Holidays in Cambodia, 16 Koh Phangan Parties & Nightlife Spots that You Cannot Miss, 18 Unmissable Festivals & Holidays in Laos, A comprehensive guide to Thailands Test & Go Scheme, A day trekking to 100 waterfalls in Nong Khiaw, All aboard! Masong are the people who invite the spirits of gods to possess their bodies. The streets are filled with people walking barefoot over hot coals or climbing ladders made of blades as part of their spiritual journey. Pattaya's Wan Lai Festival: How to survive the CRAZY Songkran water fight? Phuket Governor faces taxi doubleheader at Phuket International airport. 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. Devotees come out in bright traditional Chinese costumes and carry their household Gods to the big temples. Not recommended for the faint-hearted, one of the most exciting aspects of the festival are the various, sometimes gruesome ceremonies which are held to invoke the gods. Technically, people who are in mourning are not supposed to attend the ceremonies in temples. 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. Devotees are expected to wear white and keep pure thoughts; they give up meat, sex, alcohol, stimulants, and strong foods such as garlic and spice. An important procession that draws thousands of devotees to send the Nine Emperor Gods back via waterways. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique and exciting experience that will leave you with lasting memories. Our local guides are available to help with any questions you have about planning your trip to Thailand. One of the most popular events during this festival are colorful parades with participants dressed in traditional costumes carrying ornate floats. 6.San-yuan Three Epochs Various gory spectacles, perilous events and parades taking place, from sword piercings, fire walking, etc During this festival, people abstain from eating meat and other animal products for nine days as a way to purify their bodies and minds. Phuket gears up for 9-day vegetarian festival. It is assumed that the household gods will benefit from an annual injection of spiritual energy that fills the temple. When the main festival starts, a crowd of worshipers, all dressed in white or yellow, gather at Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town for the first event marking the ceremonys opening: a giant bamboo pole rising to invite divinities to come down to earth. At the same time, the devotees will go in procession, self-inflicting all kinds of tortures to shift other worshipers evil onto themselves to bring luck back to the community. The ceremonies of the Vegetarian Festival take place in six Chinese temples scattered throughout Phuket, Thailand. 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. Phuket Vegetarian Festival Sep 25, 2022 - Oct 4, 2022. 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. Your guide to the perfect holiday in Thailand. 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. Participants usually walk on hot coals or pierce their cheeks with swords! There are also performances by local musicians playing drums and gongs to accompany the procession. The most happening of all is the last day that marks the end of this festival. Many restaurants across Phuket offer special menus for vegetarians during this period so its easy to find something delicious no matter what your dietary preferences may be. 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. So from early morning, worshipers will enter a trance at their favourite shrine and pierce their cheek with the most extreme object possible: from a gas nozzle to a scale warship model or a car shock absorber. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is a unique spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors every year.There are no hard and fast rules for viewers except that you must not do anything that is a sign of disrespect to the belief and custom of the people.If possible, put on white clothes to blend in with the local community. During the festival, ma song are treated with reverence and respect, and are seen as spiritual leaders and guides. The annual vegetarian festival will get under way between the first to the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Nine Emperor Gods are actually high-ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues. The said acts are accomplished by select participants who serve as the gods mediums. 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. 31. Buddhist Lent Day (Thailand Wan Khao Phansa, Laos Boun Khao Phansa) is the start of the three-month period during the rainy season when monks are required to remain in a particular place such as a monastery or temple grounds. Joss sticks and candles are lit before placing the Gods in the temples. The first event is called the Raising of the Lantern Pole, which notifies the 9 Chinese gods of the start of the festival. 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. From exploring stunning beaches to taking part in unique cultural activities, there is something for everyone. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Thailand? It runs for nine days and is considered a bizarre festival. 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. However, Dou Fu Yuan Jun is invoked alongside Dou Mu Yuan Jun in Great Dipper Honouring known as Li Dou () ceremonies. So why not drop me a line today and start planning your dream Thai adventure! The airport is well-connected to Bangkok with daily flights. [9], During the festival, food stalls sell Thai and Chinese food made without animal products. WHAT MORE? Although the Vegetarian Festival can seem like a bizarre carnival, it is still a deeply religious event; show respect and stay out of the way! 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! While most people may see walking on fire as something that is dangerous, devotees are confident that those who are purified and cleansed by the fire will come out unharmed. Loy Krathong in Bangkok - Where to have the best celebration? Pregnant women should not attend or watch any of the rituals. Menstruating women should not attend ceremonies; Pregnant women should not attend ceremonies; Participants should wear white during the festivities; Kitchen utensils that are clean should not be used by non-participants; Participants should have clean bodies during the festival. Sat, Jun 25, 11:00 AM. 31 Okt 2018, 09:02 WIB. It usually takes place during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which falls between September and October. 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. [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. According to Priest Long Hua, this information is inaccurate and considered derogatory to the actual teachings of Taoism as the. 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. Many streets are closed off to traffic during the festival period so that people can enjoy the festivities without disruption. Those photos are easy to take, follow and enjoy the parade. In Cambodia, ancient and modern worlds collide to create an authentic adventure. Save Long Beach Vegan Festival VIP Pass to your collection. 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. Principles to follow during the festival: Scary photos of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Ten vegetarian food to try during the festival. 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