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Vegetarian Festival, Bangkok, is held in the months of late September and early October and is of nine day duration. The Vegetarian Festival in Bangkok is celebration of the Chinese belief that if one abstains from meat and various other stimulants during the ninth month of the lunar calendar one will enjoy good health and bliss. Also known as Kin Jay the Vegetarian Festival, Bangkok,is actually a time of total abstinence and purification of body and soul as well. People who follow this festival stop eating not only meat and other animal products but also onions, celery,garlic and certain spices which are pungent . At this time during the Vegetarian Festival, Bangkok in the Chinese temples the ascetics perform miraculous feats like body piercing, walking on fire etc. The men and even the women pierce their cheeks with knives, skewers etc.The tourist or other local visitors can come and watch these as but caution is to be taken as these are not meant for the weak hearted. There are street processions and events as well. Moreover this is the time to taste delicious Thai and Chinese vegetarian foods. It is believed that the Vegetarian Festival, Bangkok , was brought by a Chinese group who fell ill during their visit here and then decided to follow strict vegetarian diet and also prayed for the purification of body and mind to the Nine Emperor Gods . The festivities take part in six Chinese temples and start with the raising of the Lantem Pole which is an act of notification to the nine Gods that the festival has begun.It is the belief of the people that the Hindu God Lord Shiva presence can be felt at this time.The family gods are brought to the temples and joss sticks are lighted and candles placed around the different gods. The Vegetarian Festival, Bangkok , is indeed a unique festival in Bangkok.
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