Vegetarian Festival in Phuket
Posted by admin on October 8th, 2009 filed in Andaman Coast, Culture & customs, Expat life, People, Phuket & Krabi, The SouthWhile tourists swim in the deep blue ocean and getting a tan on the sun-soaked white sandy beaches, downtown Phuket’s residents are preparing themselves for the next vegetarian festival. Celebrated by the Chinese community on Thailand’s largest island, which is most famous for its brilliant beaches, glitzy resorts and relaxed ambience, Phuket’s mystical side is showcased by the annual Vegetarian Festival.
A combination of mind-blowing processions, ear-splitting firecrackers, peaceful chants and vegetarian cuisine attract many visitors that wish to experience an entirely different side of the Jewel of the Andaman. For over 150 years this colourful festival, which takes place from October 18 to 26, has been an annual merit-making event.
On the first day of this Phuket festival, the entire town will fly numerous yellow flags to mark the spiritual retreat’s start. In every Chinese shrine a large pole will be raised on the eve of the celebration, and the nine emperor gods are invited descending from the heavens to join the ceremonies. Once the nine lit lanterns are hung on the poles, the festival has begun.
The Vegetarian Festival culminates with a rather bizarre procession of persons that are in a deep trance, piercing certain bodily parts with daggers, spears and other sharp objects. The nine deities’ spirits possess the ascetic devotees and as a result they don’t seem to feel any pain.