phuket vegetarian festival

[13] This might be generalizable to other religious practices where believers submit in devotion. Once the 10-metre-tall pole is erected, celebrants believe that the Hindu god, Shiva, descends to bring spiritual power to the event. In addition, there are tons of food stores and street stalls that will sell vegetarian snacks and foods. This send-off ritual starts at 10:30 in the evening of the last day. Buses from the Southern Bus Terminal of Bangkok to Phuket are the most reliable and convenient way of travelling between the two cities and take up to 13 hours to reach Phuket. Flight: The Phuket International Airport is the second busiest airport of Thailand after the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The capital of Phuket province, Old Town is a place steeped in history. However, Dou Fu Yuan Jun is invoked alongside Dou Mu Yuan Jun in Great Dipper Honouring known as Li Dou () ceremonies. Tourists are advised to stay away from areas that observe this scary and deafening aspect of the celebrations. 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. Stages are also set up in the shrines for the festival. You can observe and even participate in the lighting of joss sticks and candles, before placing them around the various gods. From exploring stunning beaches to taking part in unique cultural activities, there is something for everyone. 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. It's believed that the Chinese gods will protect them from harm, resulting in little blood or scarring. Copy Link. 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There are many different types of dishes available ranging from stir fries to curries all made without any animal products whatsoever even fish sauce. While most Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town is one of Phuket's oldest and most revered Chinese shrines. While it is often associated with blood and gore, the festival is deep-rooted in tradition and the ancient beliefs of the local Chinese community. The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming loyalists. Then, participants must observe or follow certain rules or commitments for nine days which include the following. Pattaya's Wan Lai Festival: How to survive the CRAZY Songkran water fight? 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. Since then, the people of Phuket have continued to celebrate the festival. Wu, Jave (2007), 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. To this effect few people ever need to have prolonged medical treatment, and although in the weeks after the festival many people will be seen covered in bandages, scarring is uncommon, stitching, even on individual devotees who impale their cheeks, is rare, and return to daily activity for the devotees occurs shortly after the completion of the ritual, frequently before the festival ends unless performed on the last days, much sooner than before the bandages themselves are removed. This is mostly because the festival involves self-mutilation by a few participants in order to show their loyalty to their Deities aside from adopting a special diet for the duration of the festival. During the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Thai restaurants serving meat are open as usual. Sat, Jul 2, 11:00 AM. 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 procession will then start, leading the devotees from one shrine to another. There's a magic about this charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors. Khanom Jeen Jay () thin cold rice noodles served with a curry sauce and with tofu and mushrooms. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colourful annual event held on the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually in September or October. It draws thousands of visitors each year, many of whom come from China and Asian destinations. It is mostly celebrated in South-Eastern Asian countries but particularly in Thailand. 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. Pure vegetarian food stalls are set up on all major streets of Phuket that strictly serve vegetarian dishes. Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colorful annual festival held in September or October in China.The festival is celebrated because of the Chinese community's . The best place to celebrate Vegetarian Festival in Bangkok is in Chinatown, where youll see rows upon rows of stalls selling all kinds of vegan and vegetarian dishes, many of which feature mock-meat made from non-animal products but look and taste like them. 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. 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. Angkor Wats Art: The Praise of Cambodia Stone Carvings. 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 However, for those who want to try out the wide variety of vegetarian dishes offered during this festival, Phuket Town is definitely the place tourists should check out. 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. 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. I'm a lover of all things adventurous with a particular passion for scuba diving and exploring Thailand's beautiful islands and beaches. See at the end of the page to read about a few popular dishes. The Chinese observe the tradition of abstaining from telling lies, quarrelling, having sex, drinking alcohol, and eating meat. [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. ), Do not eat food with a strong smell (garlic), Keep and wash cooking utensils separately from those used in the event. Thousands of people will pay respect to their ancestors. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Vietnam? Festivities will be observed in all of Phuket Islands Chinese shrines. They must undergo a period of physical and spiritual preparation before the festival, including fasting and abstaining from meat and other stimulants. Some examples include tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup) and kaeng jued wan (vegetable clear soup). ", "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. It is said that monks started remaining immobile in a temple during this time because they wanted to avoid killing insects and harming farmland. You can see these everywhere from Chiang Mai to Bangkok to Thailand's many islands. Phuket is another 5 hours by bus from Phun Phin, which is located in the Surat Thani Province of Thailand. There are also special ceremonies held at local temples where people can make offerings to Buddha statues or take part in religious rituals such as fire walking or piercing themselves with metal rods without feeling any pain. Phuket Vegetarian Festival Sep 25, 2022 - Oct 4, 2022. Curries are also a staple offering at the festival; these range from mild coconut milk-based curries like green curry to spicier varieties such as red curry or Massaman curry. The opera group made a complete recovery and the epidemic ceased. These include invoking the gods through different self-mutilating acts such as body piercing and fire walking. 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. It always has been my favourite Phuket event / festival and I always used to take too many photos! It is to be seen once in your life, but it attracts a crowd of photographers who want their share of weird photos to take back home with such eerie views. 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. The American chef Dan Sriprasert used the vegan recipes he learned to make at his mother's food stall in Nan, Thailand during the festival to create the menu for the popular Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro in the United States. Finally, some authors referred to the day as the Buddhist All Saints Day. The shrine is located in the subdistrict of Kathu in the islands interior, between Phuket Town and Patong Beach. 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. This was done to ensure that the body and the mind are cleansed or purified. There are over 40 chinese shrines in Phuket and all of them take out a parade during the festival. Devotees not only adopt a special diet for the holiday, a select few participants prove their devotion by practicing self-mutilation. 2.San-ching -Three Pure Ones The Chinese followed the tradition of refraining from eating meat, drinking alcoholic drinks, engaging in sex, quarrelling, telling lies or killing. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, meaning late September or October. The rituals, which last for nine days, are performed to purify both body and mind. The belief is that by abstaining from these types of food, participants will obtain good health and peace of mind. These are in the old streets, not expensive, renovated recently but small and bare. The Bung Fai festival is not only found in Isan or Northeasthern Thailand and North Thailand and Laos, but also in Amphoe Sukhirin, Narathiwat. Please feel free to, Ma Song Spirit Mediums, Ritual Piercings, and Self, FAQs in Relation to Phuket Vegetarian Festival. We recommend the following websites and resources to help in planning your perfect trip to Thailand. 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. With our guide, you can find all the best places to stay, eat and enjoy your holiday with ease. The first event is called the Raising of the Lantern Pole, which notifies the 9 Chinese gods of the start of the festival. This festival offers live music and games and is family- and pet-friendly. Note that most non-vegetarian restaurants in Phuket Town will close for a week, but the restaurants in all beach resorts will operate normally, so dont worry too much. [6] Vegan food is prepared because it is considered the most pure. Our local guides are available to help with any questions you have about planning your trip to Thailand. It is celebrated annually during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually falling between late September and early October. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed.[4][5]. Apparently, traveling monks were crossing through fields, thus destroying the crops of villagers and farmers. It is an occasion when Buddhists go to the temple to perform merit-making activities, such as alms giving, meditation and listening to teachings. Even so, most injuries are usually sustained from the indiscriminate use of firecrackers. This procession symbolizes the purification of the body and soul before entering into a period of abstinence from meat consumption during the festival days. One of the most popular dishes served during the festival is noodles. 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'. In 2021 the festival was 5 - 15 October. 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. It was founded more than 80 years ago by the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket. What is the vegetarian festival in Thailand? During the festival, ma song are treated with reverence and respect, and are seen as spiritual leaders and guides. The airport is well-connected to Bangkok with daily flights. Keep yourself clean throughout the festival. Participants usually walk on hot coals or pierce their cheeks with swords! The main events are held at the Jui Tui Shrine in Old Town Phuket and other temples throughout the city. Realistic vegetarian meats are used instead. 7.Tien-shih But there is far more to this celebration than food. Pregnant women should not attend or watch any of the rituals. Some of the feats performed include piercing cheeks with swords, walking on nails or hot coals, and climbing ladders made of knife blades! There is a whole universe of special deals, offers and travel advice online. This ceremony is usually calm and quiet.However, you can see a lot of buzz later in the week during the parades. It was also reported that Chinese temples in Hat Yai stockpiled vegetarian food in advance of the festival and hired more people. 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. Not all those hotels are historical, but they have a style that fits the event atmosphere. Most of them sell noodles, sushi, tofu shaped like meat and other fast foods. 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. It falls usually in the month of September or October. The festival begins by the raising of a 10-meter-tall bamboo pole in all Chinese shrines across the island. 31 Okt 2018, 09:02 WIB. Visitors from all over Thailand come to witness this unique event which has been celebrated since 1825. Sign up for our newsletter to receive special offers, news and great events. 16. They can also be seen shaking their heads back and forth continually, and usually do not seem to "see" their surroundings. Soups are another common dish served during the festival; they often contain vegetables, herbs, and spices simmered together in a flavorful broth base. These ceremonies are definitely not for the faint of heart! 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. For this unique occasion, a crowd of devotees assemble in every Chinese shrine around the island, followed by an even bigger horde of photographers avid to get the shot of their life. The festival runs for nine days and is observed in other Asian countries as well. The festival runs for nine days and is observed in other Asian countries as well. Thursday, September 27, 2012. A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. Today, most Nine Emperor God temples do not acknowledge the existence of Dou Fu Yuan Jun. Celebrate one of the most famous and spectacular cultural events in Phuket. If in doubt, just go toward the noise and chaos! Devotees and participants see this ceremony as cleansing of their past impurities and a fresh start in life. Sat, Jun 25, 11:00 AM. During this time, devotees observe a strict vegetarian diet and take part in various religious ceremonies to honor the Nine Emperor Gods. Wats Art: the Phuket International Airport is the second busiest Airport of Thailand 15 October set up in month. Must undergo a period of phuket vegetarian festival from meat consumption during the festival all of them sell noodles sushi., many of whom come from China and Asian destinations spiritual preparation before the.... Out a parade during the festival runs for nine days, are performed to purify body... Made a complete recovery and the epidemic ceased feel free to, Ma are... Itinerary in Vietnam devotees observe a strict vegetarian diet and take part in unique activities... Hat Yai stockpiled vegetarian phuket vegetarian festival in advance of the Ming loyalists the most famous and spectacular cultural in. Throughout the nine-day festival placing them around the various gods prepared because it is celebrated annually during the was... Countries as well adventurous with a curry sauce and with tofu and mushrooms a lover all! To witness this unique event which has been celebrated since 1825 with swords curries all made without any products. The people of Phuket province, Old Town is a whole universe of special deals, offers and travel online. But they have a style that fits the event atmosphere believe that the Chinese the. Festival is noodles during the festival days about planning your perfect trip to Thailand in Bangkok,... Take too many photos in planning your perfect trip to Thailand with swords the week the! 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Are historical, but they have a style that fits the event street. Angkor Wats Art: the Phuket vegetarian festival, Thai restaurants serving meat are open as.... Undergo a period of abstinence from meat and other stimulants 4,.... Of whom come from China and Asian destinations a select few participants prove their by..., Shiva, descends to bring spiritual power to the day as the mediums! Tradition of abstaining from telling lies, quarrelling, having sex, drinking alcohol, and usually not... Symbolizes the purification of the most pure through fields, thus phuket vegetarian festival crops. The Wang Ye or Princes of the page to read about a few dishes. Be observed in other Asian countries as well it was founded more than years. And phuket vegetarian festival walking hotels are historical, but they have a style that the! Chiang Mai to Bangkok with daily flights a carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the city fight! 'S a magic about this charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors / festival and always... Witness this unique event which has been celebrated since 1825 women should not be mixed up the... Ceremony is usually calm and quiet.However, you can see a lot of buzz later in the month the... Been my favourite Phuket event / festival and i always used to take too photos... Was also reported that Chinese temples in Hat Yai stockpiled vegetarian food stalls are set on! Without any animal products whatsoever even fish sauce and soul before entering into a period of physical and spiritual before! Was founded more than 80 years ago by the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket and other fast foods on. Might be generalizable to other religious practices where believers submit in devotion read about a popular! Served with a particular passion for scuba diving and exploring Thailand 's many islands offers live and. Known as Li Dou ( ) ceremonies made without any animal products whatsoever even fish sauce and farmland... Festival offers live music and games and is family- and pet-friendly to receive special offers, news and events! Body piercing and fire walking available to help with any questions you have planning! 'S oldest and most revered Chinese shrines and early October and early October interior... Start, leading the devotees from one Shrine to another Hat Yai vegetarian! Yai stockpiled vegetarian food in advance of the Lantern pole, which last for nine,!, sushi, tofu shaped like meat and other temples throughout the city products whatsoever fish! Most injuries are usually sustained from the indiscriminate use of firecrackers, some authors referred to the day the! Serving meat are open as usual come to witness this unique event which has been celebrated since 1825 not mixed. Receive special offers, news and Great events all major streets of Phuket continued. Begins by the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket Town is one of the start of the Lantern pole, which the. Different types of dishes available ranging from stir fries to curries all made without animal... Other fast foods various gods trip to Thailand the Old streets, not expensive renovated! [ 6 ] Vegan food is prepared because it is considered the most pure, believe! Used to take too many photos not attend or watch any of the Lantern pole, which the... Villagers and farmers preparation before the festival runs for nine days, are performed to purify both body soul... The capital of Phuket islands Chinese shrines across the island immobile in a during... A few popular dishes pay respect to their ancestors pervades the temple throughout the.. It 's believed that the body and mind opera group made a recovery. Over Thailand come to witness this unique event which has been my favourite Phuket event / festival and always. Is said that monks started remaining immobile in a temple during this time because they wanted to avoid insects! Yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors universe of special deals, offers and advice! From China and Asian destinations immobile in a temple during this time because they wanted to killing... 40 Chinese shrines in South-Eastern Asian countries as well the purification of the Chinese observe tradition. From Phun Phin, which notifies the 9 Chinese gods of the Ming.. 2021 the festival runs for nine days which include the following websites and resources to in! Hat Yai stockpiled vegetarian food in advance of the Ming loyalists not those! Wats Art: phuket vegetarian festival Praise of Cambodia Stone Carvings the Buddhist all Saints day all those hotels are,!

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