Beginning at dawn, the ceremony marked the sixth day of the annual festival. Spirit mediums, devotees and local residents joined the procession, which set off from the shrine and made its way through the streets of Phuket Town to Saphan Hin Cape before returning with incense and candle smoke to the shrine ‒ symbolising the return of divine blessings to the community.
The Iw Keng, or procession of a shrine’s sacred image throughout the community, is regarded as a sacred journey by the deity Kiew Ong Tai Te to bestow happiness and prosperity upon the people. The parade opened with lines of flag bearers and banners, followed by the smaller palanquin (‘Cai Bie’) and the main palanquin (Tao Lian), which houses the deity.
As the procession passed, residents and business owners set up altars in front of their homes and shops to pay respects, lighting incense and remaining silent to receive blessings. Crowds of Thai and foreign visitors gathered along the route, capturing photographs and videos of the colourful yet solemn spectacle.
This year’s event took place under special guidelines agreed by all participating shrines, aimed at adjusting the tone of celebrations to the national mood of mourning following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
According to the resolution, shrines across Phuket were asked to scale back the level of festivity and noise during processions. Spirit mediums, who traditionally carry an array of sacred weapons as part of their trance rituals, were also requested to use smaller, symbolic replicas in tribute to the Queen Mother.
Despite the more subdued format, the atmosphere along the route remained deeply spiritual. Devotees expressed that the essence of the festival ‒ purification, merit-making and blessings for the community ‒ remained strong.
Tomorrow (Oct 27), the Iw Keng procession of Jui Tui Tao Bo Keng Shrine, one of the most prominent and historic in the festival, will begin at 7:30am and make its way through central Phuket Town, continuing the cycle of devotion that has defined the Vegetarian Festival for generations.
For the full schedule of Phuket Vegetarian Festival street processions and events, click here.