Before the ceremony began, devotees paid their respects to the shrine’s sacred objects before taking their places outside the temple.
As the crowd awaited the spectacle, more than 40 spirit mediums, said to be possessed by the shrine’s spirits, emerged.
The centrepiece of the ceremony was a towering knife ladder structure resembling scaffolding, with 72 steps ‒ 36 up and 36 down ‒ lined with sharp blades facing upward.
At the appointed time, the spirit mediums began their ascent, climbing the knife ladder to its highest point.
Spectators watched in apprehension as the mediums appeared unaffected by the sharp blades.
Upon reaching the top, a medium tossed a yellow talisman inscribed with the Chinese characters “Jiu Ong Tai Te” down to the crowd as a symbol of good fortune.
As the mediums descended, some demonstrated their spiritual power by shaking their bodies and placing pressure on the soles of their feet, seemingly impervious to the blades’ sharpness.
The ceremony left onlookers in a state of wonder, “a testament to the enduring strength of tradition and belief”, said an official report of the event.
The rituals continue tonight as this year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival marches to its final night tomorrow (Oct 11).
Bridge crossing rituals will be held tonight as follows:
- Baan Kian Shrine, 7:45pm
- Thung Thong Shrine, 7:45pm
- Jui Tui Shrine, 8:00pm
- Bu Seng Toon Shrine, 8:30pm
- Giw Aong Tai Tea Shrine, 8:39pm
Fire walking rituals will be held tonight as follows:
- Bang Liao Shrine, 8:00pm
- Lim Hu Tai Shrine, 8:15pm
- Jchoor Su Gong Naka Shrine, 8:30pm
- Seng Leng Tong, 8:30pm
- Cherng Talay Shrine, 8:30pm
- Tae Gun Tai Tae Shrine, 8:30pm
- Gim Su Ong Kang Shrine, 9:00pm
- Tai Seng Oud Jor Shrine, 9:00pm