Observing a Vegetarian Diet During Nine Emperor Gods Festival
Devout Taoists the world over usually observe a strict vegetarian diet during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. Although the festival is for nine days only, usually, those who go on vegetarian diet will do it on the eve of the festival as well.
However, there are some who would abstain from eating meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products, for thirty days, i.e. during the Chinese lunar ninth month.
Believed to be a form of penance, as well as mental and spiritual purification, devotees also remain celibate, refrain from impure thoughts and abstain from smoking and drinking liquor.
This annual practice may sound like quite a challenge, particularly for those just starting it, but ten days easily fly by in a blink of the eye.
Moreover, these days, vegetarian food is so varied, one could hardly determine if a dish has been prepared without meat.
The photos enclosed in this post were taken at Su Sum Chinese & Thai Vegetarian (Restaurant) located in Ipoh Garden, Ipoh.
This is one of the vegetarian shops that we have been patronising since the eve of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.
As you can see, those who observe a vegetarian diet are spoilt for choice these days!
Su Sum (Chinese & Thai Vegetarian)
Add: 59, Jalan Lau Pak Khuan, Ipoh Garden, 31400 Ipoh, Perak.
Tel: 05-5482015 / 012-4510766
Opening hours: 9.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 9pm. Open an hour earlier on the first and fifteenth day of Chinese Lunar months.
Rest day: Alternate Wednesdays
*for non-Muslims only
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