All About Nine Gods Festival (Jay Festival) Thailand

Phuket Vegetarian Festival: An inside look 

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Jae/Jay Festival, or the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is a nine-day Taoist festival held in Thailand. It is primarily celebrated in the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar year (September/October as per the Gregorian calendar).

The celebrations are also referred to as Kin Jay or the Tesagan Gin Je festival, during which devotees observe a strict vegetarian/vegan diet or fast for nine days, paying homage to the nine Emperor Gods or Guan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy and Compassion.

History of Phuket Vegetarian Festival

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival in 2024 has its roots in Phuket and dates back to the mid-1800s. It is believed to have been brought over by Chinese workers. Legend has it that after some of the workers fell sick, they prayed to the Nine Emperor Gods for nine days while abstaining from animal-based food, vegetables with strong tastes, alcohol, and tobacco. The nine-day festival became an annual event to honour and thank the gods when the workers miraculously survived the disease.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Things to know 

• Most restaurants and grocery stores, including the 7-11 stores, stop serving non-vegetarian items. Any animal products such as meat, eggs, milk, and honey are avoided, as are strong-smelling vegetables such as garlic, chives, and onion.
• Yellow and red triangle-shaped flags denote that the restaurant, food stall, or store offers vegan food for those observing the fast.

• Expect spice-free food at most locations across Phuket and Bangkok (especially at the eateries near the temples).
• Tofu items, vegetable dumplings, and coconut-based sweet desserts are the most common foods available during the festival.
• Devotees avoid alcohol and tobacco products, so drinking in public places might be frowned upon.
• Devotees wear white to symbolise the purity of the mind, body, and soul.

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• Visitors can take part in prayers, make offerings of flowers and candles, and light incense sticks at the temples.
• Rhythmic drums and incessant firecrackers mark most days of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
• Elaborate ceremonies of firewalking and body-piercing are common.
• Most celebrations are centred around temples and shrines. If you want to witness the festivities, move towards the main shrines of the city.
• Large crowds on the street are commonplace, especially when parades and processions occur.

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Best vegetarian/vegan places

Don’t forget to sample delicious vegetarian options while participating in the festival. Wellness enthusiasts, vegans, and vegetarians will find numerous eateries that serve delicious Thai and global fare, minus the meat/dairy. Some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Phuket include Atsumi Raw Cafe, Vegan Phuket, The Vegan Table, Loukthor Vegetarian Restaurant, and Wecafe Phuket. Expect a variety of fresh vegetables, soy-based dishes, mock meats, and healthy dairy-free beverages.

(Feature image credit: Jamie Monk/Flickr)

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Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

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