Thailand: As the final ceremony during the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket Town, the faithful undergo a purification rite called 'Crossing the Bridge', in which they cross over a wooden slope (the 'bridge') and are blessed blessed by flag-waving Mah Song or spirit mediums. The Vegetarian Festival is a religious festival annually held on the island of Phuket in southern Thailand. It attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed. Many religious devotees will slash themselves with swords, pierce their cheeks with sharp objects and commit other painful acts.