Phuket’s veggie fest: A taste of tradition that’s un-beet-able
The enchanting atmosphere of Phuket’s iconic Vegetarian Festival has officially started. Yesterday evening, October 2, the ceremonial raising of the Go Teng poles took centre stage at Chinese shrines across the island, heralding a nine-day celebration that promises to captivate both locals and visitors alike.
At the heart of the festivities, thousands flocked to the Jui Tui Tao Bokeung Shrine in Phuket Town to witness this sacred ritual. Presiding over the event was Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, renowned among Phuket residents as the former Minister of Tourism and Sports.
Phiphat was joined by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and a distinguished array of guests, including Kittiwong Chansattam, Chairman of the Jui Tui Tao Bokeung Foundation.
Dressed in white, a sea of Phuket locals and tourists gathered to witness the symbolic hoisting of the Go Teng pole, adorned with nine deity lanterns. This ritual serves as an invitation to the gods, marking the official beginning of the 2024 Vegetarian Festival, affectionately known as the Jia Chai Festival.
Participating shrines, including Bang Neow, Lo Rong, Sam Kong, Kuan Yu, and Kathu, also held their pole-raising ceremonies, signalling a unified celebration.
As the festival unfolds, spiritual rituals will continue, including the Iu Keng ceremony, where spirit mediums perform across the city.
The most striking aspect of the festival involves these mediums invoking the gods and demonstrating acts of self-mortification, embodying their faith and absorbing misfortunes on behalf of the attendees.
The vibrant festival will run until Friday, October 11, featuring processions, vegetarian food offerings, and spiritual blessings throughout the island, reported Phuket News.
The famous street processions kick off tomorrow, October 4, with the Guan Yu Shrine in Baan Nabon taking to the streets of the Palai area at 7am, followed by the Jchoor Su Gong Naka Shrine in Wichit at 7.30am.
