The v-shaped “knife ladder” has 36 steps on both side, each with an upward protruding sharp blade attached and participants have to climb all the way to the top and back down again as part of the ceremony.
Around 7:45pm last night, after the crowds had gathered and prayers of homage had been made to the shrine, more than 30 devotees entered the stage and prepared to climb the seemingly treacherous ladder. Then, one by one, they commenced their climb, before crossing over at the top of the ladder and begining their descent.
On reaching the summit of the ladder, one of the climbers threw a numer of yellow clothes enscribed with the Chinese characters “Kiuwong Tai Te” down to the crowds below, which are considered auspicious and lucky gifts.
A report of the occasion by the official Phuket Public Relations office stated that one participant revealed that secret to avoiding injury when scaling the ladder was the practice of putting body weight back onto the heels of the feet.
It was exactly this approach that saw all devotees complete the climb and descent without any injury, leaving the crowds below awe-struck.
For a full list of all the street processions to be held during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, click here.