Phuket Vegetarian Festival has kicked off for a 10 day long celebration of everything vegetarian. The annual occurrence is something people come from far and wide to experience, and the festival is renowned world-wide as one of the best of its kind.
History of the festival
Loc
ally known as Jia Chai, the festivities have been traced back as far as 1825 when vegetarianism was adopted by Chinese miners under Governor PrayaJerm to combat a fever that struck workers in the jungle in the Kathu district. It was believed that keeping to such a diet would help them combat the maladies afflicting the population as the act honoured two empower gods; The Yok Ong Sone and The Kiew Ong Tai. It is said that this transition in diet did just that, and the illness disappeared from the area.
The workers at this time were originally from China, and history tells us that one member returned to Kansai to invite the sacred incense smoke known as Haiolan, and the name plaques known as LianTui back to Thailand. This traveller brought back holy writings which are used in the festival on the seventh night. People learned of this journey and fled to march alongside him to bring back the sacred artefacts – and that was the start of the parade we know today.
Rituals
The first ritual of the festival in Phuket is the afternoon before where poles are erected at each temple. These are known as the Go Teng poles and are the means by which the gods descend to the earth to bless the food the people will eat. These poles are lit with lanterns to signify the start of the festival. This year, Phuket’s new Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan arrived to the island at midday to open the festival and to preside over the lantern pole raising ritual. The opening ceremony this year also featured almost 200 cannon fire crackers and 10,000 ordinary fire crackers.
The gods are a pivotal part of the festivities. Gods Lam Tao and Pak Tao are invoked and these are said to keep track of the living and the dead. Here is where you can experience some of the most impressive ritualistic entertainment of the festival with people climbing bladed ladders, walking through fire, and bathing in hot oil.
As with all festivals there is the usual musical accompaniment. However, with the Phuket Vegetarian Festival there are an inordinate number of drums, at deafening volumes. It is said that the loud noises of the ceremonies help to drive evil spirits away and protect the community and their celebrations.
The most breath-taking part of the 10 days has to be the final ceremony however where the gods are released back to the heavens through the most impressive display of fireworks. The last night always draws the biggest crowds, so if you are intending to go, go early to ensure you get a good position to view the spectacle from.
The aura of the festival is one that transcends cultures and languages, as it is all about spiritual cleansing, togetherness, and casting out evil. Therefore, tourists are embraced at this time like no other, and it really is a special time to explore Phuket. The festival’s presence is felt right across South East Asia with many celebrations cropping up all over the region, meaning this time of year is a particularly good time to explore by yacht – as you never know what you might find when you dock.
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Photo Credit: wachalife.com, phuket- eanse.com, siamchatroom.com, bangkokscoop.com
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