Phuket's Vegetarian Festival 2012

rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples around the town in order to bestow good fortune.

Sounds ordinary? -- The most exciting highlight is at the parade on the first day of the fest (15 October). As the parade begins, you will hear the drastic sound of drums, gongs, and firecrackers, wafting incense smoke that fills the air, and people dress in white carrying the sculpture of the gods walking along the streets of Phuket downtown. And when the first "Ma Song" - vessels of the gods pass by, you may feel stomach lurched at the scene of steel knives, skewers, blade, scissors, or even 6ft. long flag pole, horrifyingly pierced through their cheeks and parts of body. Some of them slice their tongues with axes whilst walking, while others march on with thousands needles puncture through their skins! - It is believed that the gods will protect them from harm, but blood really drips gruesomely onto their body, dying the brightly colored costumes they wear. This is truly amazing, but undoubtedly not the scene for fainthearted.

Don't miss the chance to visit the tropical paradise isle of Phuket during the Vegetarian Festival. And if you want to find somewhere to stay, we have a number of hotels and resorts ready for you during the event and other time year round. Browse through our Phuket hotel page, find the place that suite you most, then book with PassionAsia.com with instant confirmation.