Vegetarian Festival

Posted by admin on October 11th, 2010 filed in Uncategorized

Visitors to Krabi this week are advised to bring ear plugs as the Chinese Buddhist Vegetarian Festival reaches a noisy climax. This annual festival is an ancient tradition, and although it is a much larger event in Phuket, it is still a colourful and eye-opening experience in Krabi.

Chinese Buddhists take part in acts of self-mortification, involving all sorts of hair-raising actions such as hacking their tongues with blades and impaling their cheeks with all manner of items, ranging from swords to tree branches.

Participants from each of Krabi’s temples meet in the town centre and lay on a fascinating show, although it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Buddhist worshippers make offerings to those participating in the self-mortification in order to make merit. It’s a vibrant display with plenty of opportunity for great photos.