This is a video footage of what happened at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2016, Day Seven …
Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2016, Day Seven Summary
The 7th day of the festival mainly consists of the Fire Walking Ceremony, during which the devotees will walk across beds of hot coals to purify the body and repel evil. It is believed that the fire will overcome impurity and help to repel the evil influences for the year ahead. As devotees purify themselves with fire they atone their transgressions and sins which allows them to overcome yin. It is believed that only those who have been cleansed will be void from harm or serious burns from the hot coals.
These ceremonies all take place in the late evening of the seventh day, if you are interested in seeing the fire walking rituals you can head to any of the shrines listed below, together with the time they take place:
– Ban Tha Rua Shrine and Yokkekeng Shrine => 20.00
– Jui Tui Shrine at Saphan Hin => 20.09
– Sui Boon Tong Shrine and Sapam Shrine => 21.00
All shrines listed above can be found on google maps along with directions on how to get there.
If you do choose to go and observe this enthralling and sometimes nerve wracking ceremony, I urge you to go a little bit earlier and sample some of the delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes that are peddled in and around the aforementioned shrines. As I mentioned earlier, the dishes that are prepared with no meat will be served at the stalls bearing yellow flags with red Chinese or Thai characters on them. You will also see a number of Masong with their body piercings as well as some rather colorful costumes. Don’t forget to light your ‘joss sticks’ (incense) and candles while you are there to honor the gods and bestow good fortune on yourself for the year ahead.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2016 Videos:
For more information about this popular Phuket festival you may read our blog article Phuket Vegetarian Festival