TOP EVENT! The Phuket Vegetarian Festival – Thailand
- Where? The festival parades through the streets of Phuket Old Town, South Thailand
- When? Taking place over 10 days from 27th September – 5th October
- Despite the rather misleading title of this festival, for spectators this world renowned event is a feast for the eyes rather than the stomach! The Phuket Vegetarian Festival occurs over 10 days with a series of celebrations in the streets, but it’s the sixth day that has long been a favourite of photographers the world over. On this day, devotees partake in incredible feats of body piercing, as well as acts such as walking barefoot on hot coals or climbing ladders made of blades. During such self-torture, it is said that gods can enter the body and evil spirits are dispelled from town. The festival dates back to 1825 when a Chinese Opera came to town. When the troupe became ill, they turned to a vegetarian diet used in conjunction with ancient rituals to cure themselves. Locals were astounded as each one was miraculously healed and thus became converts to ritual vegetarianism. Since that day, the Thai-Chinese people of Phuket have celebrated the festival annually with the belief in its power to invite good fortune. Participants must not eat meat for a number of days in order to purify the mind and cleanse the soul. This festival should be high on the list of priorities for action hungry travellers this month!
From Glampackers to Poorpackers, The Sole Sisters Story – The Philippines
SPONSORED BY SOUTH EAST ASIA BACKPACKER MAGAZINE!
- Where? ROX Outdoor Adventure Store, Bonifacio High Street, Manila, Philippines
- When? 10th – 18th September
- For all those serious travel junkies, photography addicts and travel bloggers out there, you may want to make your way to this unique event taking place at the outdoor adventure ROX Store on Bonifacio High Street, Manila. There is a travel photography exhibit which chronicles the 6-month backpacking trip of charismatic (and sexy) duo, the Sole Sisters, through India and South East Asia. There are also a series of travel talks by high profile travel bloggers and personalities. The aim of the exhibit is to encourage local Filipinos to turn their back on posh, expensive weekend breaks in favour of hitching on the backpack for a real adventure! You can read more about backpacking in the Philippines here.
Mid-Autumn Festival – Vietnam
- Where? Perhaps most atmospheric in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, but the festival takes places all over Vietnam
- When? 12th September
- Known to Vietnamese as ‘Tet-Trung-Thu’, the Mid-Autumn Festival is an important time for families, with a traditional focus on children. The celebration originates from an old folk tale about parents working so hard to get ready for harvest they forgot about their children. Mid-Autumn Festival became a time when parents would make it up to them. There’s a festive atmosphere in many cities as lights and flowers adorn the streets, toy shops stock their shelves and people flock to buy moon cakes which are sold in shops in the hundreds. In many communities across Asia, this is a time when people believe the moon to be at its biggest and brightest signalling a time of happiness and harmony.
P’chum Ben – Cambodia
- Where? The festival takes place all over Cambodia
- When? 26-28 October
- P’chum Ben takes place on the fifteenth day of the tenth month in the Cambodian calendar. It is the time of the year when Khmer people believe that spirits of dead ancestors rise and walk the earth. Offerings are made at temples as early as 4 o clock in the morning as people go to give the spirits food to eat in an attempt to ease their suffering. Most commonly, sticky rice is thrown onto the ground for the spirits as it is said to be the easiest food for them to consume.
