During this week, everyone follows ten principles, mostly wear white, do not eat meat, drink alcohol, do not have sexual activities, etc. They believe that by doing so the evil deeds will come up on them and spare the community, bringing them good luck. The ninth day of the festival is its climax. 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. Anyway, Phuket is a small island, so wherever your hotel is, you are not far from the old streets where the procession looks the best. The Chinese observe the tradition of abstaining from telling lies, quarrelling, having sex, drinking alcohol, and eating meat. Joss sticks and candles are lit before placing the Gods in the temples. It falls usually in the month of September or October. The Bung Fai festival is not only found in Isan or Northeasthern Thailand and North Thailand and Laos, but also in Amphoe Sukhirin, Narathiwat. During the ritual, devotees will wait in the streets of Phuket town to send God Kiu Ong off to heaven. It is celebrated throughout the entire country, but the festivities are at their height in Phuket, where over the half of the population is Peranakans. Weeks before the Vegetarian Festival events, yellow Chinese flags bloom on every roadside and intersection, especially near Chinese temples. Dr. Schneider was depicted on his research site in a National Geographic documentation by Morgan Freeman.[14]. However, linking to the blog is welcomed. The festival culminates with a parade featuring colorful floats decorated with lanterns that are carried through the streets accompanied by music and chanting. Liputan6dotcom. The Memory at On On Hotel is a real heritage, and a few small guesthouses built on those old Sino Portuguese shophouses are too. No meat or animal products to be consumed during the festival. For the next few days, the local Chinese/Thai community brings their household gods to the temple, along with offerings of food and drink. 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. What are the best things to do in Phuket? Discover a different side of Thailand this year book your trip today! Soups are another common dish served during the festival; they often contain vegetables, herbs, and spices simmered together in a flavorful broth base. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival could be Thailand's answer to the Tamil festival of Thaipusam celebrated in neighboring Malaysia. 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. 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. Yen Ta Fo () is a pink-coloured soup with noodles served in a broth seasoned with fermented and pungent red bean curd. This temple is considered to be one of the oldest in Phuket and is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. 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. 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! 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. 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 Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is an annual event that takes place over nine days during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. 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. We do the research so you dont have to! Segregate your utensils from those who are not participating. 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. Eventually, the festival has grown into a spectacle and is celebrated yearly in Phuket. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the annual nine-day event taking place during the ninth Chinese lunar month. What is the Difference between Laos & Thai Papaya Salad. 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. Vendors and proprietors of restaurants indicate that jeh food is for sale at their establishments by putting a yellow flag out with the word (jeh) written on it in red. A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. 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. The festival dates use the Lunar Calendar, and the festival's exact dates change every year, so if you plan to travel to Tha Rua Shrine is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, found in Thalang District on Thepkasattri Road about 800m south of the Heroines Monument. Aside from major events and activities happening at this shrine for the entirety of the nine-day celebration, it is also here that nine Chinese lanterns are lit, signifying that the festival has started. 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. 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 royal ploughing ceremony, called Lehtun Mingala, or Mingala Ledaw, was also practiced in pre-colonial Burma until 1885 when the monarchy was abolished. Khanom Jeen Jay () thin cold rice noodles served with a curry sauce and with tofu and mushrooms. Also to maintain purity devout festival participants abstain from sex, alcohol and stimulants during the festival. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colourful annual event held on the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually in September or October. 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 (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. 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. 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") { This parade features colorful floats, marching bands, and dancers dressed in traditional costumes. Phuket is another 5 hours by bus from Phun Phin, which is located in the Surat Thani Province of Thailand. 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. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colorful annual event held on the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually in September or October. Each day, the street procession starts from one of the leading Shrines in Phuket. Look for yellow flags with red Chinese or Thai characters to find vegetarian food stalls. In 2021 the festival was 5 - 15 October. Reopening Myanmar Tourism: What to expect? Some of the airlines with frequent routes between India and Phuket are Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Jet Airways. People in a grieving period should not attend the festival. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of the celebration. Choose the country you plan to visit, then search for your nationality below to see our special travel tips & advice for your country. Those in a state of mourning should not participate in the festival. The procession will then start, leading the devotees from one shrine to another. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed.[4][5]. Its truly one of the most unique things you will ever experience. How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Cambodia? 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. Thailands many festivals are always a marvel and something everyone should experience at least once. It's believed that the Chinese gods will protect them from harm, resulting in little blood or scarring. One of the performers was sent to China to invite the Nine Emperor Gods (known as the Kiu Ong Iah) to Phuket. Local participants and sponsors use the occasion to enhance their social prestige, as is customary in traditional Buddhist folk festivals throughout Southeast Asia. For 2023, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival will be celebrated from October 13 to October 22. Explore the Wonders of Scuba Diving in Thailand! 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. Celebrate one of the most famous and spectacular cultural events in Phuket. It is celebrated by the religious devotees to honor the Gods and express gratitude to them for saving the peoples lives and granting them good health. 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. OC VEGAN FEST @ THE DEN DTSA - JUNE 25, 2022. The walk on the fire is another challenging photo to capture, as you must come early to secure the best spot. Fortunately, the crew recovered from the disease and that is how the Phuket Vegetarian Festival came into being. As mentioned earlier, there are over 40 Chinese Shrines in Phuket and all of them participate in the festival. Unlike other festivals and celebrations, this festival involves a lot of gory scenes besides fireworks and fancy attires. I'm a lover of all things adventurous with a particular passion for scuba diving and exploring Thailand's beautiful islands and beaches. You can observe and even participate in the lighting of joss sticks and candles, before placing them around the various gods. Men and women puncture their cheeks with sharp items, including knives and skewers. And as you may have already inferred, Thailand's Veg-fest is not a meat-abhorring, food-loving, happy-go-lucky celebration. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique event that takes place annually in Thailand and draws visitors from around the world. Now lets take a look at accommodation options for your stay in Thailand. 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 festival begins with a parade from Jui Tui Shrine to Sapan Hin, a public park located near the beach. Koh Lanta Island. All of the then medicine failed to cure them so they unanimously decided to adopt a strict vegetarian diet. 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