At the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, you can see traditions of the past come alive as the Chinese gods (Giu Ong) descend from the heavens to reside on the island for nine days in October. (Oct 4 – 13).
The festival is a time for spiritual and physical cleansing, paying respect to ancestors and receiving blessings, and is the year’s most significant cultural event in Phuket and a fabulous display of religion, culture, food and people.
During the festival one can rise early in the morning to watch the ceremonies and rang song (literally ‘body of the spirit’) at work. The mediums will go in to a trance and later the rite of self-flagellation will begin. This is not something for the faint of heart as sharp objects and needles are inserted into devotees’ faces and even their tongues. While they are possessed by the spirits they claim not to feel any pain. Other forms of flagellation include being hit with cloths soaked in hot oil and walking on fire. Loud noises from firecrackers and magical elements of the mystical, human, and religious, all blend into one surreal street parade. This is one festival will even hold well-seasoned travellers in awe.
