Ladies who have their menstrual cycle should not attend the festival. One member of the opera group was then sent back to China to call on the Kiu Ong lah or the Nine Emperor Gods. The festival also includes a vegetarian diet which consists of only vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The role of ma song, or spirit mediums, is an integral part of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Why do Phuketians celebrate it? 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. The festival culminates with a parade featuring colorful floats decorated with lanterns that are carried through the streets accompanied by music and chanting. 15 Islands Near Phuket Phuket Island Hopping, Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Welcoming Ritual, The Pilgrims Name Reading Ritual in The Sacred Hall, The Birth and Death of Humans Gods Welcoming Ritual, Big Dipper Astrolatry: Seven Star Worshipping Ritual, Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Retreating Ritual, Wear white clothes during the whole festival, Do not eat meat or animal products (milk, eggs, etc. We are looking for writers. One of the most popular dishes served during the festival is noodles. 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. Phuket Sandbox reopening plan & What to Expect? 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. The streets are filled with people walking barefoot over hot coals or climbing ladders made of blades as part of their spiritual journey. However, linking to the blog is welcomed. These rules are a must-follow for anyone who participates in the festival. When: Every other Sunday, 12-4pm 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. Then, participants must observe or follow certain rules or commitments for nine days which include the following. Typically the festival is held in autumn, near the end of September and beginning of October. The said food stalls will usually be located on Ranong Road, between the Jui Tui Shrine and Ranong market. ", "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. 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. However, the art of "jay" food is that many of the dishes look and taste like meat. When it comes to finding a place to stay during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, there are plenty of options available. Get the latest news, inspiring blog articles, or promotion, Boun Bang Fai - Rocket Festival in Thailand and Laos, Buddhist Lent & Khao Phansa Day in Thailand & Laos, Hmong New Year - The Celebration of Colors, Everything you need to know about Magha Puja (Makha Bucha), All about Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Thailand and Cambodia. 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. As such, tourists who fancy eating meat dishes such as steaks or grilled meats wont really be deprived of their protein source during the festivities. 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. After the gods have passed through the shrine doors, all lights inside the shrine are turned off and access points are closed. 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]. To achieve peace of mind and good health, participants need to follow certain commitments and rules during the interval of the festival. All of the then medicine failed to cure them so they unanimously decided to adopt a strict vegetarian diet. 6.San-yuan Three Epochs Nine Emperor Gods are actually high-ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues. ), Do not eat food with a strong smell (garlic), Keep and wash cooking utensils separately from those used in the event. The preparation for the festival gears up long before the main day. These include invoking the gods through different self-mutilating acts such as body piercing and fire walking. 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 celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants will help them obtain good health and peace of mind. It is a nine-day celebration of Chinese culture and vegetarianism that has been celebrated for over 200 years. Phuket is another 5 hours by bus from Phun Phin, which is located in the Surat Thani Province of Thailand. The abstinence from eating any kind of me. While the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is celebrated across Thailand, the said festival is most celebrated and observed in Phuket. 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. A Guide to Thailand for Families With Kids. Soybean and protein substitute products are used to replace pork, chicken or fish they even look and taste exactly like meat. Processions on the streets will usually have participants climbing an eight-metre ladder full of sharp blades, running across burning coals, and walking in a trance. The purpose of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, which seems to originate in 1800, seems to differ from the Chinese event in several South-East Asia countries. [10] Many varieties of tofu are prepared and sold during the festival. Running for nine days, the vegetarian festival in Phuket is considered by many to be the most extreme and bizarre of festivals in Thailand. 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. 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. For the next few days, the local Chinese/Thai community brings their household gods to the temple, along with offerings of food and drink. 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. Phuket Vegetarian Festival The Vegetarian Festival takes place at the start of the ninth Chinese lunar month, which falls in late September or early October. They must undergo a period of physical and spiritual preparation before the festival, including fasting and abstaining from meat and other stimulants. Bertrand Linet on Flickr, Golden Lantern pole raising at the Phuket Vegetarian 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. 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. It's a new era for this extraordinary and complex land, where the landscape is scattered with gilded pagodas and the traditional ways of Asia endure. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an outstanding week-long event. Come join us at Phuket's premier vegan restaurant during the annual vegetarian festival where we have a special dedicated vegetarian menu on offer for all of those following the event. Subsequently, the festival has grown and developed into a spectacular yearly event in Phuket. The Memory at On On Hotel is a real heritage, and a few small guesthouses built on those old Sino Portuguese shophouses are too. The street is filled with dense smoke and the loud noise of fireworks. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await the arrival of their excellencies. 7.Tien-shih The Nine Emperor Gods. The shrine is located in the subdistrict of Kathu in the islands interior, between Phuket Town and Patong Beach. Popular folk culture has it that the Nine Emperor Gods are actually loyalists of the Ming dynasty who fought against Qing dynasty. To really see the festival at its best, you'll want to go there. 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. [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. Fireworks are stopped at all the establishments and thrown at the devotees. There are also direct flights to India, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Germany, among other countries. 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. Along with the restrictive vegan diet, they also vowed to pray to the Nine Emperor God known as the Kiu Ong Lah, for the reason of cleansing their body and soul. For starters, the festival should start on the very first day of the Chinese lunar calendars ninth month. Pictures of the firecracker parade are more challenging, with a tremendous amount of suffocating smoke and loud noise. 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. The architecture is heavily European, and the streets are lined with Sino-Portuguese buildings, quaint mansions, charming cafes and boutique shops. Typically the festival is held in autumn, near the end of September and beginning of October. No meat or animal products to be consumed during the festival. It attracts thousands of tourists annually with most visitors coming from other Asian destinations, especially from China. Address: Bang Neow intersection, Phuket Road, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000. It always has been my favourite Phuket event / festival and I always used to take too many photos! Now is the best time! This was done to ensure that the body and the mind are cleansed or purified. Second: the walking is more of a jump as fast as you can above the charcoal, so with the lack of light, taking sharp images is difficult, so get ready to freeze the moment with a well-calibrated flash (too much flash would kill the atmosphere). Locally referred to as the Kin Jay Festival, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a festival of the Nine Emperor Gods festival in Phuket. Basic Thai Phrases: Learn the Basics for Your Holiday! Tourists are invited to attend the procession and take photographs. Ma song are typically chosen by the community and undergo a rigorous selection process. The festival is celebrated by Chinese Hokkien descendants for the purposes of purifying body and mind, also to ensure a year of prosperity. We recommend the following websites and resources to help in planning your perfect trip to Thailand. The dates change every year, as it's based on the Chinese lunar calendar. You will still see them out during the day. [9], During the festival, food stalls sell Thai and Chinese food made without animal products. Read along to know about the most peculiar festival in Phuket- The Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Legend has it a 19 th century Chinese opera group fell sick when touring Phuket. 5.San-kuan Three Officials My dream has been growing bigger and bigger day after day, and I do not miss a chance to make it real. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a unique event that takes place annually in Thailand and draws visitors from around the world. Street processions often involve participants walking in a trance, running across a bed of burning coals, and climbing an 8-metre ladder of sharp blades. Devotees and participants see this ceremony as cleansing of their past impurities and a fresh start in life. 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. Reopening Myanmar Tourism: What to expect? You can see these everywhere from Chiang Mai to Bangkok to Thailand's many islands. 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. Pattaya's Wan Lai Festival: How to survive the CRAZY Songkran water fight? The history of this festival may be a bit unclear but it is commonly believed to have been brought by a Chinese opera group that got hit by the Malaria epidemic of the time. It draws thousands of visitors each year, many of whom come from China and Asian destinations. Firewalking ceremonies can be seen where devotees walk across burning charcoal without being burned and spirit mediums perform rituals on stage. The walk on the fire is another challenging photo to capture, as you must come early to secure the best spot. Experiencing the festival for the first time is life-changing as it really needs to be seen to be believed. Keep yourself clean throughout the festival. Most restaurants in and around Phuket remain shut during the festival. 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. The Chinese observe the tradition of abstaining from telling lies, quarrelling, having sex, drinking alcohol, and eating meat. by tripsavvy. From Thailand, it spread to other South and Southeast Asian countries. If youre looking for something more affordable, there are also plenty of hostels and guesthouses located throughout the city that offer comfortable lodging at an economical price point. According to tradition and belief, the purpose of the vegetarian festival is for participants to obtain peace of mind and good health. [11] In his research project starting in 2012, Schneider identified the affective states of the Ma Song that reflected a religious frame of submission. Save Long Beach Vegan Festival VIP Pass to your collection. The dishes are prepared without the use of garlic, chili, or strong spices. It takes place at the same time as the Hindu festival Navaratri.[1]. Stages are also set up in the shrines for the festival. The festival begins with a parade from each participating temple around the city center. Participants, both women, and men will pierce their cheeks with skewers and knives, and other similar items. A fun-fact here is that you will hardly find any vegetables on the stalls. Look for yellow flags with red Chinese or Thai characters to find vegetarian food stalls. What to do & where to celebrate the New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai, What to do and where to Celebrate Your New Year's Eve in Bangkok. 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 the face is the most common area pierced, some also pierce their arms with pins and fishhooks. Songkran in Chiang Mai: What to do during the Festival? The Thailand Piercing Festical It was the fourth day of The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket Town, Thailand - also known as the Thailand Piercing Festival. Without any animal products to be believed is filled with dense smoke and phuket vegetarian festival loud noise perform on! 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