Swords, axes and umbrella handles are pushed through devotees' CHEEKS

Facing their fears! Swords, axes and umbrella handles are pushed through devotees’ CHEEKS at Thai vegetarian festival

• Nine-day celebration held in Phuket, Thailand, honours the ‘Nine Emperor Gods’
• Those involved shun all animal products while they offer bodies to deities 
• Graphic images show piercings being done at event in Phuket on ‘mediums’
• Mediums prepare for the event at a local temple as drums beat and bells ring 

Swords, axes and umbrella handles were yesterday pushed through the cheeks of Taoist devotees in a series of unusual piercings as part of Thailand’s Vegetarian Festival which returned from a two-year pandemic hiatus. 

The nine-day Vegetarian Festival celebration, which takes place every year, honours the ‘Nine Emperor Gods’. 

Those involved shun all animal products while they offer their bodies to deities who they believe will banish bad luck. 

Graphic images show the piercings being done at the event in Phuket, which previously drew thousands of visitors to the tourist island hoping for blessings and good fortune.   

People volunteering to be pierced are known as ‘mediums’ and believe that they have a personal connection with one of the gods.

They have to apply in advance and are carefully considered before they are granted the honour. 

Mediums yesterday prepared themselves at a local temple as drums beat, bells rang and incense burned to begin the day’s festivities at sunrise. 

Devotees emerged from the Jor Soo Gong Naka shrine and nurses then closely monitored things as the sharpened objects, chosen by the mediums, were guided through their skin. 

When the piercing was done, the mediums were guided by supporters five kilometres (three miles) to a park by the sea.

In this procession, some devotees appear in a trance and their eyes roll as they tremble, wave and dance, dispensing blessings to a crowd of hundreds.

Graphic images show the piercings being done at the event in Phuket, which previously drew thousands of visitors to the tourist island hoping for blessings and good fortune. Pictured: A man walks at the Sapam shrine with piercings on his tongue 

 People volunteering to be pierced are known as ‘mediums’ and believe that they have a personal connection with one of the gods. They have to apply in advance and are carefully considered before they are granted the honour. Pictured: A woman participates in the annual vegetarian festival 

Mediums yesterday prepared themselves at a local temple as drums beat, bells rang and incense burned to begin the day’s festivities at sunrise.  Pictured: The procession in Phuket 

Devotees emerge from the Jor Soo Gong Naka shrine and nurses then closely monitor things as the sharpened objects, chosen by the mediums, are guided through their skin. Pictured: A devotee of the Kuan Tae Kun shrine with paper umbrellas pierced through his cheeks takes part in a procession during the annual Vegetarian Festival

When the piercing is done, the mediums are guided by supporters five kilometres (three miles) to a park by the sea. In this procession, some devotees appear in a trance and their eyes roll as they tremble, wave and dance, dispensing blessings to a crowd of hundreds. Pictured: A medium walks in the procession

Teepakorn Kerdkla, 62, said: ‘I could cleanse my mind and concentrate my thoughts’, as he waited to see a procession of the faithful who had undergone piercings.

Chitsanuphong Tankongkoy, 18, an onlooker, said: ‘The wishers have to pierce themselves as a way to express their gratitude to the gods as well as getting rid of their bad luck.’

In folklore, the tradition can be traced back to 1825, when a visiting Chinese opera troupe fell ill in Phuket.

But nowadays the festival comes with modern safeguard procedures and medics.

Pictured: A woman with a piercing on her cheek participates in the annual vegetarian festival in Thailand 

Pictured: A woman gets pierced at the annual vegetarian festival in Phuket, Thailand 

The return of the event is welcome for Thailand’s Covid-battered tourism industry.

Rapeepan Naknakhon, 58, said: ‘We hadn’t had this festival in a few years so this year is especially exciting.

‘I’m glad to see lots of people joining and making merit.’

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