Phuket Vegetarian Festival spirits take to the streets

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Phuket Vegetarian Festival spirits take to the streets
The Phuket News


Phuket Vegetarian Festival Ma Song spirit mediums are joined by devotees as they course through the streets of Phuket Town. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- The Vegetarian Festival gained momentum on the second day of this year’s festivities yesterday (Oct 15), with devotees and mediums from the Bangku and Sapam Shrines winding their way through the streets in one of many festival processions to come.

Residents and tourists watched as the spectacular parade of Ma Song – those who will allow spirits to possess them, mortal mediums – and their devotees and statues of the gods passed by.

Tables covered with offerings for the gods were set up in front of residents homes along the procession route to greet the gods as they passed.

Lost in trances while their gods has taken over their bodies, the Ma Song displayed their power by mortifying their flesh with axes, maces and a variety of artefacts inserted through cuts in their cheeks or hung by hooks from the chests or backs.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-vegetarian-festival-spirits-take-to-the-streets-54568.php


-- Phuket News 2015-10-16