Phuket Hungry Ghost Festival: History, Traditions and Schedule in 2024
The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as the Pho To Festival, is an ancient festival celebrated in various countries in Southeast Asia. Unlike the famous Vegetarian Festival, this festival is not limited to Phuket, but is also widely celebrated in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan. The origins of the Hungry Ghost Festival lie in ancient China, from where its traditions were carried by settlers to other countries.
History of the Hungry Ghost Festival
The Hungry Ghost Festival arrived in Phuket over 100 years ago with Chinese settlers, who brought not only their customs and culture but also their festivals. According to the Chinese calendar, the full moon of the seventh month is when the gates to the spirit world open, allowing restless ghosts to return to the world of the living. These spirits, deprived of peace, come to earth to take part in the festival, which is held to calm and feed them.
The main figure of the festival is the god of hungry ghosts Pho To Kong, who ensures that each ghost is fed and satisfied. It is believed that if you do not please the spirits, you can incur their wrath, which will lead to misfortunes and losses in life. To avoid this, locals prepare many varied and delicious dishes that they offer to the spirits.
Traditions and Rituals of the Festival
The Phuket Hungry Ghost Festival is accompanied by many colorful and impressive rituals. The Phuket Town and Kathu areas are at the center of the celebration, where massive processions take place every year. Locals bring red turtle-shaped cakes called Ang Ku to the temples. These cakes are considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity, and their offering to the temple is an important part of the festival.
Ang Ku cakes, which are inscribed with people's names, family names, or organizations, are left in the temple for the entire day. After all the ceremonies are over, the cakes may be returned to their owners or distributed to those who wish. However, they are not usually eaten, as they play a symbolic role.
In addition to cakes, temples are decorated with baskets of fruit, gourmet foods, and incense sticks that are lit in honor of the spirits. An important part of the festival is the burning of paper "money" that is believed to help the spirits in their afterlife. These offerings are meant to appease hungry ghosts and ensure the well-being of the living.
As evening approaches, firecrackers explode all over Phuket and the sky lights up with colorful displays of fireworks. These sounds and visuals symbolize the cleansing of the area and the warding off of evil spirits, creating a festive atmosphere that fills the streets and homes.
Conclusion
The Hungry Ghost Festival in Phuket is not only a vibrant cultural event, but also an important part of the spiritual life of local residents. This holiday, steeped in ancient traditions, reminds us of the connection between the world of the living and the world of spirits, the need to respect the past and care for those who have passed away. By joining this unique holiday, you will be able to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Thai culture and see how ancient customs continue to live in the modern world.
Schedule of events in 2024
This year the celebration takes place from August 16 to September 2. Most of the events are planned in the Chinese temples of Phuket Town and the Kathu area (not to be confused with Kata). Below we provide a schedule of ceremonies in Phuket Town, but on these dates in the evening you can visit any Chinese temple and see how the festival is held with your own eyes.
Here is the schedule of events in Phuket Town:
To find the location you need, enter its name in any online map and plot a route. You can get there by taxi, public (city bus or smart bus) or rented transport .
