Vegetarian Festival

Attachment 142

Date: October 1 - 31, 2013

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local people of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples, and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as "Ma Song". The ceremonies are based on the strong belief and faith to Gods and the strong intention to purify both bodies and spirits. Eating only vegetable dishes is based on the intention not to kill any animals, purify bodies and minds, and enlighten the spirits. During the ceremonies, people will be in the white clothes.

Contact Details : www.phuketvegetarian.com
TAT Phuket office
Tel. +66 7621 1036, +66 7621 2213