TRANG, Oct 7 (TNA) – Entranced devotees performed rituals of
self-mortification, walking on burning coals and climbing blade ladders, as part
of the Vegetarian Festival in the southern province of Trang.
At the height of the festival which is running this year
from September 28 to October 7, over 100 devotees called Ma Songs from a famous
shrine walked barefoot in firewalking ritual at the city’s famous clock tower
on Sunday.
They acted as mediums of gods to signify spiritual cleansing
for participants.
Later, about 20 Ma Songs of Jao Po Sue shrine daringly
climbed up ladder of 20 blades in a spectacular ritual.
In the meantime, millions of participants of the Vegetarian
Festival or the Nine Emperor Gods Festival have observed vegetarian diet as
well as refrain from sex and alcohol consumption in the period of spiritual
cleansing.
They will conclude the auspicious practice on Monday with
spiritual ceremonies in line with Chinese traditions at shrines of Chinese gods
and goddesses across Thailand.
Many rituals at the end of the Festival will be held to
worship gods returning to heavens after descending to earth during the
festival.
Other acts of self-mortification are also undertaken by Ma
Songs in other Chinese communities throughout the Festival. (TNA)
