Vegetarian Festival in Phuket8 photos

Every year, in the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar (usually in September or October), Thailand hosts a festival for vegetarians called Thesakhan Kin Che. The main color of this festival is yellow, which symbolizes veganism; therefore, both locals and visitors dress in bright colors during this time. For ten days, markets and fairs filled with various vegan foods are set up throughout Phuket. These dishes contain no meat, fish, seafood, or any other animal-derived products. In accordance with the festival’s rules, alcohol and tobacco are prohibited during this period, sexual activity is discouraged, and pregnant women are advised not to watch the rituals. Participants are expected to maintain both physical and spiritual purity. Some devout believers and vegans strictly adhere to all these rules, even though soy-based foods are available on the menu; others simply follow them for the duration of the festival, treating it more as a temporary form of indulgence or dieting. The most striking aspect of this festival involves piercing different parts of the body and walking over hot coals. According to tradition, those who endure such pain become stronger and more fearless. It is worth noting that such practices do come with risks: last year, 74 people were injured during the festival.