Phuket Sees Firecrackers Send Nine Emperor Gods to Heaven
On the final night of Phuket's vegetarian festival, thousands of residents and visitors watched as temples sent the deities Yok Hong Seng Tao (Shiva) and Kiew Hiong Tay Tao (the Nine Emperor Gods) back to heaven amid a barrage of millions of firecrackers. The loud crackles and drifting smoke filled the city as the divine palanquins proceeded toward Cape Saphan Hin. The ritual concluded with temple lights extinguished and doors closed, and the following day the Go Teng pole will be raised to officially end the festival.
The ceremony began around 10 p.m. with the sending off of Yok Hong Seng Tao (Shiva) in front of the Go Teng pole, followed by the rites for Kiew Hiong Tay Tao (the Nine Emperor Gods) at the seaside area of Cape Saphan Hin. As the divine procession moved through Phuket Town's streets, crowds continuously lit firecrackers, resulting in a total of several million crackers whose roar echoed across the city and whose smoke drifted over the route. After the palanquins left the temple gates, all lights inside were extinguished and the main doors closed, marking the end of the year's sending-off ritual according to tradition. The following day, October 19, 2026, temples will erect the Go Teng pole to officially conclude the vegetarian festival, which is scheduled to run from September 30 to October 8, 2027, for the next year.
