Thousands arrived to take part in the ceremonial raising of the Go Teng pole at the Jui Tui ‘Tao Bokeung’ Shrine in heart of Phuket Town.
The ritual, which marks the festival’s start, was presided over by Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, better known among Phuket residents as the former Minister of Tourism and Sports.
Joining Mr Phiphat in leading the festivities was Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, along with a host of esteemed guests, including Kittiwong Chansattam, Chairman of the Jui Tui Tao Bokeung Foundation.
Thousands of Phuket locals and tourists, dressed in white, gathered to witness the event. The Go Teng pole, adorned with nine deity lanterns, was hoisted as a symbolic invitation to the gods, marking the official start of the 2024 Vegetarian Festival, also known as the ‘Jia Chai’ festival.
Other shrines across Phuket, including Bang Neow, Lo Rong, Sam Kong, Kuan Yu and Kathu shrines, also participated in their own pole-raising ceremonies. Afterward, these shrines will continue the festival with various spiritual rituals, including the ‘Iu Keng’ ceremony, where spirit mediums perform around the city.
The most striking part of the festival, where spirit mediums invoke the gods and perform acts of self-mortification, will take place as a demonstration of faith and as a way to absorb misfortunes on behalf of the attendees.
The nine-day festival will continue through to Friday next week (Oct 11), with processions, vegetarian food offerings and spiritual blessings across the island.
The famed street processions of the festival, during which devotees parade the statue of the Chinese God honoured at the local shrine, will begin tomorrow (Oct 4) with the Guan Yu Shrine in Baan Nabon taking to the streets of the Palai area in Chalong from 7am, and the street procession of Jchoor Su Gong Naka Shrine in Wichit starting at 7:30am.
For the full ‘Official schedule for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival’, click here.