PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL Phuket's Vegetarian festival (or jia chai in local Hokkien
Chinese dialect) began in 1825, when the governor of Thalang, Praya Jerm, moved the island's principal town from Ta Reua in Thalang district to Get Hoe in Kathu district, where were tin mines and Chinese miners. Kathu was then still covered by jungle and fever was rife. It happened that a traveling opera company (called ngiu in Thai or pua-hee in Hokkien dialect) came from China to perform for the miners. When the whole company grew sick from an unnamed malady, they kept to a vegetarian diet to honor two of the emperor gods, Kiew Ong Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh. The sickness afflicting the opera troupe then disappeared. This greatly interested the people of Kathu, who asked how it was done. The answer came that ritual vegetarianism with its attendant ceremonies had been the cause, with the result that people embraced the faith enthusiastically. Thus the festival began: starting the first evening of the ninth lunar month, it continued until the ninth evening; the aim was to bring good luck to individuals as well as to the community.
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It later happened that one familiar with the festival volunteered to return to Kansai, in China, where he invited the sacred Hiao Ho-le or Hiao lan (incense smoke) and Lian Tui (name plaques), which have the status of gods, to come stay in Kathu. He also brought
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holy writings used in the ceremonies, returning to Phuket on the seventh night of the ninth month. The people, upon hearing of his arrival, went in procession to Bang Niao Pier to bring him and his sacred cargo back. This was the origin of the processions that figure so greatly in the festival. The afternoon before the festival begins, a great pole at each temple is raised, called the Go Teng pole, with which the gods are invited to descend. At midnight the pole is hung with nine lanterns, signalizing the opening of the fest. Two important gods are also invited down at midnight to preside over ceremonies; these are Yok Ong Hong Tae and Kiew Ong Tai Tae. Aside from this, there are other ceremonie throughout the fest, notably: invocation of the gods Lam Tao, who keeps track of the living, and Pak Tao, who keeps track of the dead; processions of the gods' images; and feats of the Ma Song-like bathing in hot oil, bladed ladder climbing and fire-walking. The festival ends with merit making ceremonies at each temple (sadoh kroh)
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at each temple (sadoh kroh) and the send-off of the gods on the last night (when fireworks are at their most impressive). Ma Song, or entranced horses, are devotees whom the gods enter during the fest. They manifest supernatural powers and perform self-tortures in order to shift evil from individuals onto themselves, and to bring the community good luck. Ma Song fall into two categories: those who, having had an intimation of impending doom, want to extend their lives; and people specially chosen by the gods for their moral qualities. Throughout the festival fireworks and drums are sounded, especially during ceremonies. It is held that the louder they are the better, because the noise drives away evil spirits. Participants in the fest keep to a strict vegetarian diet for a varying number of days, usually no less than three. This they do to make themselves strong in mind and body; they refrain from all vice, eating animal flesh, and killing animals. The festival thus promotes good hygiene, brightness and inner peace.
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The Rituals of the Vegetarian Festival
(or the Nine Emperor Gods Festival)
The Invitation Ritual or the Tall Lantern Pole Raising Ritual The ritual takes place in the afternoon and evening of the day preceding those nine days – namely on the last day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar to invite the Jade Emperor (Yok Ong Tai Te) and the Nine Emperor Gods (Kiu Ong Tai Te). The demarcation and consecration of the shrine’s compound are conducted by the principal medium after the Yok Ong has descended from the heaven. In anticipation of the festival, devotees begin to wear white garments, eat vegetarian food(che) and abstinence from the 5 Buddhist Precepts a few days prior to the opening ritual in order to achieve the body purification. In religious terms, it is considered as an act of contrition or expurgation for the sins incurred by the killing and consumption of animal in the course of the past year. It is also a test of one’s power of endurance, self-discipline and penance.
The Ritual of Food-Offering to Heavenly Warriors
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The ritual, performs in the early afternoon, pays respect to the spirits of warriors and their horses, many of the rank-and –file spirit mediums participating in this festival are possessed by these spirits, who are believed to entertain a position in the celestial hierarchy beneath the gods, but above the ghosts. Vegetarian food, tea and rice liquor are prepared for the spirit warriors and grass is for horses.
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The Incantation The incantation of Taoist North Star Canon (Pak Tao Keng) takes place 2 times a day after the Invitation Ritual of the Jade Emperor (Yok Ong Tai Te) to the shrines morning and evening incantations. The prayer leader (Huat Kua) reads the names of contributors (Thark Sor) to the festival in front of the Nine Emperor Gods in every evening only.
The Propitiation of the Seven Stars The ritual takes place on the fifth day of the festival to propitiate the Big Dipper or Seven Stars (Chit Chaen). The Big Dipper has 2 invisible and 7 visible stars. The mediums distribute auspicious charms (Hu) to devotees in order to repel evil spirits.
The Street Procession This is the most spectacular event of the Vegetarian Festival or the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, which became iconic of the festival as a whole. The processions offer an opportunity for the householders and the general public along the streets to receive the blessings of the gods possessing the spirit mediums. The inhabitants set up altar in front of their houses, decorated with Chinese embroideries table apron (Tok Ui), placing on them lit candles and incense sticks, flowers, fruit, sweets and tea. The processions are usually preceded by a vehicle of the shrine association followed by school children carrying banner with the name of the shrine, flags and banners “with the gods’ or goddesses’ names in Chinese characters”. These are followed by several Chinese percussion
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bands of floats or motorcycles. Sedan chairs (Tai Pian) with the gods’ are carried in the center of the processions with position orderly in the celestial hierarchy, such as “Sin” as the lowest rank, “Guan Soi”, “Tai Te” and “Hoot”. The carrying of the Nine Emperor Gods (Kiu Ong) incense urn is considered a great honor and it is carried by the priest’s assistant (Lor Chu) or censermaster, and tightly held under the Kiu Ong’s ceremonial umbrella. The explosion of firecrackers over the palanquin (Tua Lian)of the Nine Emperor Gods reaches a climax
The Fire-Walking Ritual The Fire-Walking Ritual takes place on the sixth day of the festival. “Fire overcomes impurity and repels evil influence. As men purify themselves with fire, they expiate transgressions and thus overcome yin”. In fire- walking, it is believed that only those that are cleansed will be void from being seriously burns.
The Ceremonial Bridge-Crossing Ritual (Koi Harn) The ritual takes place on the ninth day of the festival, just before the Farewell Ritual that sends the gods back to the heaven. The main idea of devotees crossing the bridge is believed to be cleansed from impurities and misfortunes that may fall upon them. Once crossing the bridge, a red stamp of the Nine Emperor Gods’ seal (or imperial seal) will be stamped at the back of the devotees to signify that they are purified from sins and calamities that might happen to them.
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The Farewell Ritual The Vegetarian Festival or the Nine Emperor Gods Festival culminates in the farewell ritual for the Jade Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods on the evening of the ninth and last day, and comes to close with sending off the Kiu Ong at midnight back to the heaven. The ritual is divided into 2 parts : the Jade Emperor is bade farewell at the lantern pole in the shrines’ yards by burning the paper palace for the Jade emperor; then the Nine Emperors are sent off at a body of water, mainly conduct close to the sea – Saphan Hin or river, with a huge heap of gold paper and multicolored “imperial” paper costumes.
10 RULES FOR THE VEGETTARIAN FESTIVAL 1. Cleanliness of bodies during the festival 2. Clean kitchen utensils and to use do not join the festival 3. Wear white during the festival 4. Behave physically and mentally 5. No meat eating 6. Abstain from sex 7. No alcoholic drinks 8. People at mourning period should not attend the festival 9. Pragnant ladies should not whatch any ritual 10. Ladies with period should not attend the ritual
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SCHEDULE OF PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL 2010 October 7, 2010 09.00 Opening Ceremony Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2010 at Saphanhin
LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) 17.00 Lantern Pole Raising 24.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation
KATHU SHRINE 17.00 Lantern Pole Raising 24.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation
CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 16.59 Lantern Pole Raising 21.09 Jade Emperor Propitiation 23.59 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation at Surin Beach
JUI TUI SHRINE 17.09 Lantern Pole Raising 23.09 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation
YOK KE KENG SHRINE 17.00 Lantern Pole Raising 22.30 Jade Emperor Propitiation 24.00 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation
BANG NEOW SHRINE 17.09 Warriors Propitiation & Lan tern Pole Raising 22.00 Jade Emperor Propitiation 23.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation BAN THA RUE SHRINE 17.00 Lantern Pole Raising 24.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 16.00 Lantern Pole Raising 24.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation
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SAPAM SHRINE 17.45 Lantern Pole Raising 24.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation BANGKOO SHRINE 16.45 Lantern Pole Raising 23.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation JANG ONG SHRINE 15.45 Lantern Pole Raising 23.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 16.30 Warriors Propitiation &
Lantern Pole Raising 23.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 17.20 Warriors Propitiation & Lantern Pole Raising 23.00/ Jade Emperor & Nine 24.00 Emperor Gods Propitiation CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 17.09 Lantern Pole Raising 23.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation
October 8, 2010
(The ďŹ rst day of the festival) KATHU SHRINE 05.00/ Worship and Propitiation of 18.00 Gods 20.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival JUI TUI SHRINE Worship and Propitiation of Gods BAN THA RUE SHRINE 12.00/ Worship and Propitiation of 19.00 Gods SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship of Gods SAPAM SHRINE 17.45 Birth-Death Gods Propitiation at Saphanhin
BANGKOO SHRINE 20.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 16.45 Inviting of Gods to indicate the vegetarian territory 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
October 9, 2010 KATHU SHRINE 05.00/ Worship and Propitiation of 18.00 Gods 20.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival JUI TUI SHRINE Worship and Propitiation of Gods Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival.
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BAN THA RUE SHRINE 12.00/ Worship and Propitiation of 19.00 Gods SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods YOK KE KENG SHRINE 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods BANGKOO SHRINE 20.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 07.00 Street Procession in Phuket Town 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
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October 10, 2010 KATHU SHRINE 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 15.00 Warriors Propitiation 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 19.30 Birth-Death Gods Propitiation 21.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival JUI TUI SHRINE 15.09 Food Offering to Warriors 20.45 Birth-Death Gods Propitiation BANG NEOW SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors BAN THA RUE SHRINE 17.30 Food Offering to Warriors SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 15.30 Blessing Bang Tao Village 19.00 Worship of Gods YOK KE KENG SHRINE 15.30 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Birth-Death Gods Propitiation at Koh Sirey Beach SAPAM SHRINE 07.00 Street Procession in Phuket Town 15.45 Food Offering to Warriors BANGKOO SHRINE 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.45 Propitiation of Seven Stars JANG ONG SHRINE 15.45 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Birth-Death Gods Propitiation 21.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 16.45 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
October 11, 2010 KATHU SHRINE 05.00/ Worship and Propitiation of 18.00 Gods 20.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival JUI TUI SHRINE Worship of Gods Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival BANG NEOW SHRINE 15.00 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival BAN THA RUE SHRINE 12.00/ Worship and Propitiation of 19.30 Gods SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 07.19 Street Procession in Phuket Town 12.00/ Worship and Propitiation of 18.00 Gods
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CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 15.30 Blessing Manik Village and Cherng Thalay Village YOK KE KENG SHRINE 07.30/ Worship and Propitiation of 20.00 Gods SAPAM SHRINE 07.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods BANGKOO SHRINE 18.00 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival 20.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods JANG ONG SHRINE 20.00 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.15 Propitiation of Seven Stars GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 20.00 Oil Bathing 22.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
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CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 09.00 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival 20.00 Hot water bathing
October 12, 2010 KATHU SHRINE 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival JUI TUI SHRINE Worship and Propitiation of Gods BANG NEOW SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars BAN THA RUE SHRINE 07.30 Street Procession in Phuket Town
LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 15.09 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.09 Propitiation of Seven Stars 23.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods YOK KE KENG SHRINE 07.30/ Worship and Propitiation of 20.00 Gods SAPAM SHRINE 19.00 Street Procession in Sapam Village BANGKOO SHRINE 20.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods JANG ONG SHRINE 6.30 Street Procession in Sapam Village 15.45 Worship and Propitiation of Gods TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 07.15 Street Procession in Pasak Village and Ban Don Market 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 21.45 Propitiation of Seven Stars
CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 09.00 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival 14.00 Street Procession in Village 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
October 13, 2010 KATHU SHRINE 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival JUI TUI SHRINE 15.09 Food Offering to Warriors 20.09 Fire Walking at Saphanhin Park BANG NEOW SHRINE 06.00 Street Procession in Phuket Town 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors BAN THA RUE SHRINE 17.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Fire Walking SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 21.00 Fire Walking LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 15.09 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
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CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 05.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 07.30 Street Procession in Thalang District 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 21.30 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival YOK KE KENG SHRINE 07.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 15.30 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Fire Walking SAPAM SHRINE 15.45 Food Offering to Warriors 21.00 Fire Walking BANGKOO SHRINE 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 19.45 Propitiation of Seven Stars Ladder Climbing JANG ONG SHRINE 15.45 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Fire Walking TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
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GIM TSU ONG SHRINE(BAN DON) 08.45 Street Procession in Maikhao Village 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 09.00 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival 16.45 Food Offering to Warriors
October 14, 2010 KATHU SHRINE 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 19.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars 21.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival JUI TUI SHRINE 08.00 Street Procession in Phuket Town 21.09 Propitiation of Seven Stars BANG NEOW SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Bladed-Ladder Climbing BAN THA RUE SHRINE 20.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars 20.45 Oil Bathing and Tying Children’s Wrist SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 15.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 21.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of
Gods 15.09 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.00 Bladed-Ladder Climbing CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.59 Bladed-Ladder Climbing 23.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods YOK KE KENG SHRINE 20.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars SAPAM SHRINE 20.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars Nailed Bridge Crossing BANGKOO SHRINE 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.45 Bladed-Ladder Climbing JANG ONG SHRINE 15.45 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.30 Oil Bathing GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 07.30 Street Procession in Ban Don Village - Ban Kian Village Ban Sakoo Village - Ban Naiyang Village - Airport Muang Mai Village) 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 09.00 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival 20.45 Propitiation of Seven Stars
October 15, 2010 KATHU SHRINE 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 07.00 Street Procession in Phuket Town 12.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival JUI TUI SHRINE 20.09 Bridge Crossing for Purification BANG NEOW SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Fire Walking BAN THA RUE SHRINE 18.30 Street Procession in Thalang District SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 24.00 Propitiation of Gods LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
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15.09 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.00 Fire Walking CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.09 Fire Walking 21.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods YOK KE KENG SHRINE 07.00 Street Procession in Phuket Town BANGKOO SHRINE 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.30 Fire Walking JANG ONG SHRINE 15.45 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Bladed-Ladder Climbing TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 19.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 20.00 Fire Walking GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 20.00 Fire Walking 21.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
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CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 09.00 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants of the Vegetarian Festival 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods
October 16, 2010
(The last day of the festival) KATHU SHRINE 05.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 15.00 Fire Walking 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 19.30 Bridge Crossing for Purification 24.00 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell JUI TUI SHRINE 15.09 Food Offering to Warriors 23.09 Jade Emperor Farewell 23.45 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell at Saphanhin BANG NEOW SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 17.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification 22.00 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell
BAN THA RUE SHRINE 17.30 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 07.00 Street Procession in Phuket Town 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 21.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification 24.00 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) 05.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 15.09 Food Offering to Warriors 19.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification 23.09 Jade Emperor Farewell 24.00 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 05.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors
18.30 Bridge Crossing for Purification 21.30 Jade Emperor Farewell 22.09 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell at Surin Beach YOK KE KENG SHRINE 07.30 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 15.30 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification 22.30 Jade Emperor Farewell 24.00 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell SAPAM SHRINE 19.45 Bridge Crossing for Purification 22.45 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell BANGKOO SHRINE 15.00 Street Procession in Sapam and Bangkoo Villages 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 21.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification 23.00 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell
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JANG ONG SHRINE 15.45 Food Offering to Warriors 23.30 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Farewell TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 18.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification 20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 23.15 Jade Emperor Propitiation Farewell 24.15 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Bridge Crossing for Purifica tion 21.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods 22.45 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation Farewell at Naiyang Beach CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 16.45 Food Offering to Warriors 20.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification 23.00 Jade Emperor Propitiation Farewell
October 17, 2010 KATHU SHRINE 17.00 Lantern Pole Lowering 17.30 Warriors Farewell JUI TUI SHRINE 17.09 Lantern Pole Lowering BANG NEOW SHRINE 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 17.00 Lantern Pole Lowering Warriors Farewell
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BAN THA RUE SHRINE 15.30 Food Offering to Warriors 16.45 Lantern Pole Lowering SUI BOON TONG SHRINE 15.30 Food Offering to Warriors 17.00 Lantern Pole Lowering LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) 17.00 Lantern Pole Lowering CHERNG THALAY SHRINE 16.00 Food Offering to Warriors 16.45 Lantern Pole Lowering YOK KE KENG SHRINE 16.00 Lantern Pole Lowering SAPAM SHRINE 15.45 Food Offering to Warriors 17.45 Lantern Pole Lowering BANGKOO SHRINE 16.45 Lantern Pole Lowering JANG ONG SHRINE 16.45 Lantern Pole Lowering TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) 16.30 Food Offering to Warriors 17.15 Lantern Pole Lowering GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) 15.00 Food Offering to Warriors 17.20 Lantern Pole Lowering CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE 16.45 Food Offering to Warriors 17.30 Lantern Pole Lowering
SCHRDULE FOR STREET PROCESSIONS October 9, 2010 October 10, 2010 October 11, 2010 October 12, 2010
October 13, 2010
October 14, 2010
October 15, 2010
October 16, 2010
CHOOT SU GONG NAKA SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket Town SAPAM SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket Town LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) From the Shrine to Phuket Town BAN THA RUE SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket Town JANG ONG SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket Town TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) From the Shrine to Pasak Village and Ban Don CHOOT SU GONG NAKA SHRINE From the Shrine to Village BANG NEOW SHRINE In Phuket town CHERNG THALAY SHRINE Street Procession in Thalang town GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) From the Shrine to Maikhao Village JUI TUI SHRINE In Phuket town GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) In Ban Don Village – Ban Kian Village – Ban Sakoo Village – Ban Naiyang Village – Airport – Muang Mai Village KATHU SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket town YOK KE KENG SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket town BAN THA RUE SHRINE From the Shrine to Thalang Town SUI BOON TONG SHRINE In Phuket town BANGKOO SHRINE From the Shrine to Sapam and Bangkoo Villages
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Suggested tour program
during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 3 Nights 4 Days Program October 14-17, 2010 October 14, 2010 Noon Arrive Phuket International Airport Transfer to Tha Rue Shrine for Worship of Gods. Lunch / Check in at Hotel / Free at leisure 17.00 Transfer to Phuket Town for Worship of Gods, Bladed-Ladder climbing and dinner at Bang Neow Shrine 21.30 Back to hotel October 15, 2010 06.30 Transfer to Phuket Town to watch “Street Procession” (Kathu Shrine) and breakfast in Phuket Town 12.00 Lunch / Sightseeing Phuket town: Ancient buildings, Rang Hill, Chalong Temple or “The Temple of Prosperity”, Phuket Sea Shell Museum, one of the world’s great private museums. There are numerous rarities and freaks including the world’s largest golden pearl (140 karats) 17.30 Transfer to Rawai Beach and Prom Thep Cape, the most beautiful place to catch Phuket’s sunset. 18.30 Transfer to Phuket Town for dinner and joining Bridge Crossing for purification at Jui Tui Shrine 21.30 Back to hotel October 16, 2010 07.00 Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Phuket town for watch “Street Procession” (Sui Boon Tong Shrine and Bangkoo Shrine) 12.00 Lunch and Leisure 14.30 Transfer to Kathu Shrine and joining Fire Walking at Kathu Shrine 17.00 Transfer to Phuket Town for dinner 18.00 Joining Bridge Crossing for purification at Bang Neow Shrine 20.00-24.00 Jade emperor farewell and nine emperor gods propitiation farewell October 17, 2010 Breakfast at hotel and check out / Free at leisure or sightseeing around Phi Phi Island, Phang-nga Bay Depart Phuket
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