Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Masong

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2023 or Nine Emperor Gods Festival 2023. On that evening, Nine Emperor Gods devotees set to make a grand send-off of deities through the waterways. A Masong is a devotee who invites the spirits of the gods to possess his body as a vehicle. This act is only possible when the devotee keeps his thoughts pure and wear white as a symbol of purity. Also, to maintain purity before and during this festival, the devotee must abstain from sex, alcohol, and other stimulants during the festival. His diet should only focus on vegetarian meals.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Phuket, Thailand
Camera: ILCE-7M3
Copyright: © Teik Ow