Last Updated on March 4, 2022 by rida
2021 might have been stressful for a lot of us, some say âalthough the body survives from covid, mental health hits a comaâ. Visiting a shrine to pray during âVegetarian Festivalâ can be a good idea to boost mental and physical health, as well as for good luck to yourself and your loved ones.
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Letâs get your backpack and explore Phuket island, the city of the biggest Vegetarian Festival. As the Chinese god has its own power and strength, weâve curated â9 Chinese shrines of Andamanâ according to your needs. Career, wealth, health, soulmate, relationship or even pregnancy, we have it all covered!
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Although this year many âahmâ or âChinese templesâ have to follow the âNew Normalâ rules and regulations, shrines in every corner of the island are still packed with devotees and believers of gods and goddesses. Guarantee that if you visit all 9 listed shrines, itâd make you feel âPeng-An, Peng-Anâ or in other words, âlive safe and wellâ.
Table of Contents
1. Kathu Shrine
Deity of the shrine : Tian Du Yuan Shuai (The god of performing arts)
Popular request : For recovering from sickness and being a loved one.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/KiE1zHDrnwWDMcSi7
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âKathu Shrineâ or âLai Thu Tao Bo Kengâ is believed to be the origin of the famous vegetarian festival in Phuket. The legend says the mining industry has brought tons of Chinese labourers to Kathu, as well as a troupe of Chinese opera coming to perform in the district. Many people have fallen sick without any reason because of the epidemic all of sudden. The troupe decided to hold a vegetarian festival for 9 days 9 nights, where the consumption of meat was refrained in order to sacrifice to the deities. After the ritual, everyone recovered like magic which left everyone in an immense shock. Thus, the vegetarian festival has become the annual tradition for Kathu and Phuket people from then on.
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Various statues of Chinese gods inside the shrine are waiting for visitors, one of them is âTian Du Yuan Shuaiâ or âLao Yeâ which is the god of performing arts and the head god of the vegetarian festival. Therefore, paying homage to Lao Ye means going back to the start of the vegetarian festival. People tend to wish for health and being loved by everyone.
2. Pud Jor Shrine and Jui Tui Shrine
Deity of the shrine : Granny Pud Jor and Granny Zhu Sheng Niang Niang (The goddess of mercy and the goddess of fatality)
Popular request : Pregnancy and soulmate
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/Jh3nAzZ9XTP1kar89
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Pud Jor Shrine and Jui Tui Shrine is a 2-in-1 stop, as the annex is connected with each other. Many people favor visiting both places to receive blessings and auspice in only one visit.
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The goddess of Mercy âGranny Pud Jorâ or as known as âGuan Yinâ and âZhu Sheng Niang Niangâ, the goddess of childbirth are enshrined inside âPud Jor Shrineâ. If you wish to have little ones or wish to meet your significant others, you might like to come and tell the grannies your wish. Who knows, maybe your request would be fulfilled sooner. Further to this, Pud Jor Shrine is also known for its Chinese medicine prescription service. It offers fortune telling sticks labelled with medicine recipes, which you can take your prescription to the herbal store after drawing the lots.
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Before heading back, letâs stop by âJui Tui Shrineâ. During the vegetarian festival, Jui Tui Shrine holds the annual ritual such as âfire-walking ceremonyâ and âspiritual power exhibitionâ which involves piercing different parts of the bodies with swords and blades. Itâs another highlight that cannot be missed!
3. Bang Neaw Shrine
Diety of the shrine : Sam Tong Ong (The trio deities)
Popular request : Career development (especially for governors) and prosperity
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/U1oqUFtdKEbzbv5q9
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Another ancient temple of Phuket established in 1904 and has participated in vegetarian festivals for a very long time. Bang Neaw Shrine or Theprasi Foundation is enshrined with âSam Tong Ongâ or 3 noblemen who are honest and loyal to their home land. The trio deities rest on the firm belief of the Thai-Chinese in Phuket and are admired as a role model.
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Phuket people tend to make work-related wishes to the trio, as it is believed that they would help in prosperous commerce, career promotion, along with being loved by attendants. It is a must-visit for those who work as governors or magistrates!
4. Lhor Rong Shrine
Deity of the shrine : Cho Su Kong (The Taoist priest)
Popular request : Life protection
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/jEeEYk3r84q556Rp8
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âLhor Rong Shrineâ or âSui Boon Tong Shrineâ is built with faith and admiration in Cho Su Kong of the founders. Cho Su Kong is a Taoist priest who practiced the Taoist precepts diligently and helped out villagers with difficulties. All the good deeds and mercy led him to have a lot of worshippers who always come to ask him to blow away all the sorrows and dangers. If anyone is worried about career, finance or relationships, you can stop by to gain positive motivation.
5. Sang Tham Shrine
Deity of the shrine : Ong Sun Tai Sai (The god of knowledge and wisdom)
Popular request : Prosperous career, untroubled life, Prudential â do not have to worry about scammers!
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/YTJXMVifwsGN2orz8
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âSang Tham Shrineâ or âTeng Kong Tongâ was built in 1891 by Luang Amnat Nararak where the âOng Sun Tai Saiâ is enshrined. This deity is well-known for being an all-rounder, thus, people like to ask for a successful career and to overcome obstacles in life. Guarantee that if you have a chance to visit the shrine once, both your mental and physical conditions will be fully charged to the max.
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This shrine is not only known for religious purposes, but also famous for its breathtaking architectural beauty. The Chino architecture was styled throughout the shrine. The Hokkian style house is seen with the roof decorated with cement dragon and Chinese dolls. Along with the antique painting on both sides of the wall, telling the story about âXue Renguiâ, aka the legend of Ong Sun Tai Sai. You will get to receive good luck and explore arts all in one place!
6. Mae Ya Nang Shrine
Deity of the shrine : Ma Jor Bo (The goddess of the ocean)
Popular request : Save journey and maritime safety
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/TnW4vkv25z5nYCHo6
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âMae Ya Nang Shrineâ or âSam San Tian Hou Gong Shrineâ is the shrine of âMa Jor Boâ, who is known for her intelligence, prophet and accurate weather forecast. With this being said, seafarers worship her as a tutelary goddess of the sea. She is also generally worshipped by Phuket people, as it is believed that she always protects and saves her believers from danger in after time.
7. Sam Gong Shrine
Deity of the shrine : Lin Fu Tai Shi (The grand tutor Lin)
Popular request : Success in education, career development and intelligence mentality.
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/KodLUymnHQ8EyQaB9
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âSam Gong Shrineâ or âLin Fu Tai Shi Shrineâ is a medium-sized shrine located in the middle of Phuket city. At first glance, it may look like a newly built shrine with its modern structure and vivid red roof. In fact, Sam Gong Shrine has a long history of over a century. A big renovation in 1994 is a good explanation of its modern look.
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It is the place of worship of âLin Fu Tai Shiâ. People praised him as an intelligent and well-rounded scholar, hence he was once chosen to be supervisor of the crown prince. His loyalty, virtue and majestic appearance led him to be reverenced and cherished especially among students. It is believed that he would bless the success in education, as well as career path. If you are looking forward to taking higher education, shifting your career path, or position promotion, you should not miss visiting!
8. Sa Pum Shrine
Deity of the shrine : Guan Teh Gun (The god of war)
Popular request : Empower positive energy and business prosperity
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/WpHvPy6YZUcnASWN8
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If youâd like to empower the positivity or wish your business to blow up, âSa Pam Shrineâ must be the destination! âGuan Teh Gunâ or âGuan Yuâ is named to be a skillful and heroic military general. He was fierce in the battle yet full of justice. His definite decision and loyalty is second to none. In this respect, the popularity of Guan Yu among businessmen and entrepreneurs has emerged, as it is believed that his aura would help the business to gain wealth.
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Apart from the sanctity of Guan Yu, the legend of Sa Pum Shrine itself is also impressive. The not-too-small-but-not-so-big shrine was built with adhesion and unity of villagers. Though 120 years have passed, local people in the area still visit and help taking care of the shrine invariably. So, if you want prosperity in your career or want to feel Guan Yuâs holiness, do not forget to pay the shrine a visit!
9. Tha Rua Shrine
Deity of the shrine : Bao Sheng Da Di (God of medicine)
Popular request : Healthy and active life (immune from covid-19)
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/EjJyonihMsAV2bRQA
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In the middle of the covid-19 outbreak, a lot of people might be concerned about their health. Although we have been aware of the virus and washed our hands to the point that skins start to peel off, we just cannot stop being so anxious, right? If you are also facing this situation, this last recommendation is for you. âTha Rua Shrineâ is a colourful shrine located near the monument of Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon. According to legend, he was born in a medical expert family, so he picked up the knowledge of medicine from a young age. He was ingenious and very wise to use his gifted talent to cure the diseased and sick, and finally got promoted to be an imperial doctor.
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With his ability to cure all the sickness, he was praised and credited to be âA Miracle Doctorâ. Hence, it is not a surprise why people from every corner would come here to wish for a healthy and active life. If you wish to stay safe from covid-19, it might be worth paying this shrine a visit!
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