Even so, most injuries are usually sustained from the indiscriminate use of firecrackers. 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. It takes place at the same time as the Hindu festival Navaratri.[1]. 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 belief is that by abstaining from these types of food, participants will obtain good health and peace of mind. During the span of nine days or while the festival is in full effect, one can say that Thailand turns vegan. After ceremonially crossing the bridge, a red stamp of the gods is then placed on the back of participants to show they are already free from calamities and sin. 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). This area is usually closed-off during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival and it is here that vegetarian food stalls abound. The worshipers will follow the ten principles mentioned above to cleanse their spirits. 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. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival held in autumn - also known under its more Taoist-inspired name Nine Emperor Gods Festival - is no exception. The 2022 Phuket Vegetarian Festival (aka Nine Emperor Gods Festival) is taking place from 25 September - 5 October 2022. They must undergo a period of physical and spiritual preparation before the festival, including fasting and abstaining from meat and other stimulants. 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. The festival always starts on the first day of the 9th Chinese lunar month (though the pole-raising ceremony is the night before). Parades usually start at 9 minutes past the hour, disrupting traffic during morning rush hours. It celebrates the unique belief of the chinese community in the holiness of vegetarian food. 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. The festival begins by the raising of a 10-meter-tall bamboo pole in all Chinese shrines across the island. 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. Wear white to honor the Nine Emperor Gods. Here are our recommendation for your accommodation: Below is the Youtube video about Phuket Vegetarian Festival if you want to go further. It is assumed that the household gods will benefit from an annual injection of spiritual energy that fills the temple. Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2022 Image Source Phuket Vegetarian Festival schedule for the year is from 25th September to 5th October in Phuket and holds a plethora of ceremonies and includes the participation of most of the shrines. The festival is famous for its 'extreme' celebrations. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed. Phuket is famous worldwide for its mountainous interiors and exotic beaches.The mesmerizing picturesque scenery in, To pick one as the best beach is a herculean task since Phuket is the, Despite all the modern shops and air-conditioned malls that have sprung recently, the local night, Address: 66 Hussadhisawee Rd, Chang Phueak, Chiang Mai 50300 During this time, locals take part in parades, street processions, temple ceremonies, and food offerings to honor their ancestors. 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. Por Pia Tod Jay () Deep-fried spring rolls. After 5 great years I have decided to shut down VegEvents in order to focus on building All Impact Jobs. Its a celebration of Chinese culture with an emphasis on vegan cuisine, street processions, and other religious rituals. Phuket Vegetarian Festival is celebrated all across the town. It runs for nine days and is considered a bizarre festival. You can see these everywhere from Chiang Mai to Bangkok to Thailand's many islands. Vendors and restaurants all over Thailand participate by switching to "jay" food, using yellow flags with red Thai or Chinese characters to signal their participation. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique event that takes place annually in Thailand and draws visitors from around the world. [2] 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. Location: Phuket Town. It offers a unique opportunity to explore Thai culture and cuisine in an exciting way. 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. Long Hua, the 35th generation Taoist priest from Singapore, honouring the Northern Dipper stars prolongs one's life, eliminate calamities, and absolves sins and past debts of oneself and his family. The ninth day of the festival is its climax. 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. Keep yourself clean throughout the 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. After arriving at Sapan Hin, there will be various performances such as martial arts demonstrations and music shows. These rules are a must-follow for anyone who participates in the festival. Then for the past 29 years, my passion for photography has taken me to every corner of Thailand. Tourists can join in the lighting of candles and joss sticks before they are placed around the household gods. Look for yellow flags with red Chinese or Thai characters to find vegetarian food stalls. My dream has been growing bigger and bigger day after day, and I do not miss a chance to make it real. The procession will then start, leading the devotees from one shrine to another. The worship of Dou Fu Yuan Jun has declined strongly as proper teachings of Taoism degenerate since being exported out of China. 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. 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. 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. Injuries during the festival, though, are mostly caused by the firecrackers being indiscriminately used by the festival participants. 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! Yellow chinese flags are put up in the entire city. 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. 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. History of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Phuket is another 5 hours by bus from Phun Phin, which is located in the Surat Thani Province of Thailand. Women in menstruation and pregnancy should not participate in the festival. The BRUTAL Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Not for the faint of heart! [9], During the festival, food stalls sell Thai and Chinese food made without animal products. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival could be Thailand's answer to the Tamil festival of Thaipusam celebrated in neighboring Malaysia. 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. With our guide, you can find all the best places to stay, eat and enjoy your holiday with ease. How to register for Test & Go on Thailand Pass system? My name is Jolie, I am a Vietnamese girl growing up in the countryside of Hai Duong, northern Vietnam. 31 Okt 2018, 09:02 WIB. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await for their arrival. The Chinese followed the tradition of refraining from eating meat, drinking alcoholic drinks, engaging in sex, quarrelling, telling lies or killing. These ceremonies are definitely not for the faint of heart! They are also referred to as Jiu Huang Da Di (The Nine Great Emperors) in the Taoist pantheon. According to Rev. The participants who prepare to volunteer their bodies to the gods are called the Ma Song. In Cambodia, ancient and modern worlds collide to create an authentic adventure. It is celebrated mainly by Chinese Thai people and involves abstaining from meat, as well as other activities such as parades, street processions, and temple ceremonies. You can eat at the various vegetarian stalls set up on the street. What to eat during Phuket Vegetarian Festival? Shops in Phuket and throughout Thailand display red and yellow jay flags to indicate they are serving appropriate vegan food for observant participants. Many of these establishments feature amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning units, swimming pools, fitness centers, and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine without breaking your budget. The festival is associated with some ceremonies that are considered brutal and gruesome. [11] In his research project starting in 2012, Schneider identified the affective states of the Ma Song that reflected a religious frame of submission. What is the meaning of Thingyan Festival Myanmar New Year? The purpose of this practice is a mixture of veneration for their gods and ancestors, to display their devotion to their beliefs and the trance itself, which has a profound impact upon demeanour for days or weeks after, frequently with devotees appearing exceptionally calm and focused in their day-to-day activities after the festival is completed. However, technically, only food prepared in the sacred kitchen of the Chinese temple (in Thailand, called sarnjao or um ) is jeh, as it must undergo a series of rituals before it can be given that name. How many days does the Vegetarian festival in Phuket last? 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. Incense and candles are lit at the Chinese temple, while down by the river a Chinese Opera is performed each night of the festival around 6pm. You can observe and even participate in the lighting of joss sticks and candles, before placing them around the various gods. Last 2021, the festival was celebrated from September 25, 2022, to October 4, 2022. Pregnant women should not watch any of the rituals. It is a nine-day celebration of Chinese culture and vegetarianism that has been celebrated for over 200 years. On their arrival, the entire band got inflicted with a deadly Malaria pandemic. The main events are held at the Jui Tui Shrine in Old Town Phuket and other temples throughout the city. This was done to ensure that the body and the mind are cleansed or purified. Full Moon Party in Thailand: The Ultimate Guide to Koh Phangans Iconic Event! Health officials call for a 'safer' Phuket Vegetarian Festival. It's considered as the number one auspicious event on the southern Thai island of Phuket, and may as well be one of the country's most eccentric and extreme festivals. Hope that you love it too! It usually takes place during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which falls between September and October. The streets of Phuket island are crowded with the thousands of visitors, mostly from Asia and China, that visit to participate in the festival every year. 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. Phuket Vegetarian Festival has started on Monday, September 26th. Nine Emperor Gods are actually high-ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues. Cindy quit her 9 to 5 job to pursue her passion for exploring mesmerizing locations in Thailand. Discover a different side of Thailand this year book your trip today! During the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Thai restaurants serving meat are open as usual. There are many different types of dishes available ranging from stir fries to curries all made without any animal products whatsoever even fish sauce. Apart from the Goddesses, there are brave chinese warriors and young devotees.The best place to book a hotel is near this shrine or any other prominent one. Sat, Jul 2, 11:00 AM. It falls usually in the month of September or October. To really see the festival at its best, you'll want to go there. That is where I can best use my software development skills to help the world. One example of a popular vegetarian snack is the vegetarian spring roll. OC VEGAN FEST @ THE DEN DTSA - JUNE 25, 2022. Only pure, unmarried men or women without families of their own can become masong. The whole event is usually heavily sponsored. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket typically lasts for nine days. As mentioned earlier, there are over 40 Chinese Shrines in Phuket and all of them participate in the festival. 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. Tao Hu Phad Phed: Stir fried Tofu with chili past, Jee Jo (), a famous snack in Phuket, Look Chin Sarai Tod () Deep-fried crispy seaweed balls with sweet sauce, Tao Hu Song Kruang () steamed tofu sauteed in thick Chinese sauce with baby corns and carrots, Phuket Town A Walking Guide to Old Phuket Town, Songkran Festival Phuket 2023 April 13 to 15, 17 Questions People Always Ask about Phuket (and a couple of stupid ones). People gathering around an am from early morning to witness piercing ceremony and to participate in the parade afterwards, Masong are getting ready to participate in the morning parade starting from one of the am in Western Phuket, Masong pending to have his cheeks pierced, Piercing is supervised by medical staff and performed using special instruments. [13] This might be generalizable to other religious practices where believers submit in devotion. The devotees wear bright and very ornamented outfits, and then you are set for a full week of firecrackers, parades, piercings, and vegetarian food. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival begins on the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so dates change annually. The festivities in Phuket include a procession of masong wearing elaborate costumes who pierce their cheeks and tongues with all manner of things, including swords, banners, machine guns, table lamps, and flowers. The ceremonies take place in the vicinity of 6 Chinese temples in Phuket. 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. 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. 16. Many tourists come from Malaysia. Weeks before the Vegetarian Festival events, yellow Chinese flags bloom on every roadside and intersection, especially near Chinese temples. 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 festival culminates with an extravagant procession featuring elaborately decorated floats and participants dressed in white or yellow clothing carrying joss sticks and firecrackers. The Nine Emperor Stars are: On the eve of the lunar ninth month, temples dedicated to Nine Emperor Gods will conduct an important ceremony to invoke and welcome the Nine Emperor Gods. 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'. Many temples also host vegetarian feasts where visitors can enjoy traditional Thai dishes made with vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, nuts, and fruits instead of meat or fish. Below are some of them: There is this belief within the Chinese community that fire can repel evil influence and overcome impurity. Then, participants must observe or follow certain rules or commitments for nine days which include the following. The 2022 Phuket Vegetarian Festival (aka Nine Emperor Gods Festival) is taking place from 25 September - 5 October 2022. [6] There are also fortune telling booths offering advice from monks or fortunetellers about ones future prospects based on palm reading or astrology readings. Along the way, local Thai of Chinese descent prepare food offerings on small tables and receive blessings. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival takes place in the streets of Phuket Town, so visitors can expect to experience a vibrant atmosphere filled with culture and tradition. The five most popular festivals in Thailand are the Songkran or Water Festival and the Loi Krathong Festival or the Festival of Lights, the Yi Peng Festival, the Magha Puja, and Visakha Bucha, or the Buddhas Birthday. Beach guides, things to do and hand-picked villa and hotel advice. Phuket has the largest festival, but many other cities in Thailand celebrate the festival as well. 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. Either are you wondering about best time to visit, visa policy, or how to get the cheapest flight, we have your back! Ma song are individuals who are believed to be possessed by the Nine Emperor Gods during the festival, and they play a central role in the spiritual rituals and ceremonies that take place. Popular folk culture has it that the Nine Emperor Gods are actually loyalists of the Ming dynasty who fought against Qing dynasty. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an outstanding week-long event. It is an occasion when Buddhists go to the temple to perform merit-making activities, such as alms giving, meditation and listening to teachings. 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. For 2023, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival will be celebrated from October 13 to October 22. 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. What is Nine Emperor Gods Festival? A few of the major shrines in Phuket for witnessing ceremonies include: The festivities move between various temples throughout the celebration; picking up a schedule of events will help you be in the right place at the right time. We wont even spare you the gross tongue sliding on a giant blade. The role of ma song, or spirit mediums, is an integral part of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. 31. Basic Thai Phrases: Learn the Basics for Your Holiday! These markets are open from 5pm and are easy to access from Hua Lumphong MRT station. And coordinate mortal Life and Death issues all Chinese shrines across the island 'll. Thai Phrases: Learn the Basics for your holiday all Chinese shrines the... 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