Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage Exceeds 460,000 Registrations, Traffic Control from April 12

The Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage to Beigang Chaotian Temple has become a national religious event, with registration numbers repeatedly reaching new highs in recent years. Last year, nearly 330,000 people registered, and this year's registration period closed on March 11 at 6 PM. Chen Chun-fa, Secretary-General of the Gongtian Temple Management Committee, told CNA that a total of 463,588 people registered this year, setting another historical record. This year, registrations approached 300,000 within just three days of opening, and the pilgrimage uniforms prepared by the temple were quickly distributed. Subsequent registrants could not receive jackets, and the registration fee was reduced from NT$700 to NT$500. They will still receive basic equipment such as hats, armbands, and towels, and the names of all registered participants will be transcribed into the auspicious prayer scrolls. The pilgrimage schedule for this year is set for Mazu to ascend the palanquin at 11:55 PM on April 12, immediately departing thereafter. They will arrive in Beigang on April 16, perform the "fire entry" ritual on April 17, return to the temple on April 20, and open the furnace on May 1. Gongtian Temple will hold the "Fang Tou Qi" (raising the head flag) ceremony late tonight to announce the event to all directions and kick off the annual pilgrimage. In response to the massive influx of pilgrims and vehicles, the Miaoli County Police Bureau has deployed personnel radiating from Gongtian Temple to surrounding major external roads. Traffic control is planned for April 12-13 (departure) and April 19-20 (return). Specifically, Taiwan Provincial Highway 1 will be closed in phases in both directions from 8 AM on April 12 to 8 AM on April 13. Flexible closures will also be implemented at the Baishatun, Chituqi, and Xinpu interchanges of Taiwan Provincial Highway 61 (West Coast Expressway), depending on pedestrian and vehicle flow. For parking, the County Police Bureau stated that Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) has added services at Baishatun and Tongxiao train stations, and Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) has added services at Miaoli Station. It is recommended that people from the north park their vehicles around THSR Miaoli Station and transfer by shuttle bus, while those from the south can park at Tongxiao Seashore Park, where Tongxiao Township Office provides shuttle buses, or use parking along both sides of Taiwan Provincial Highway 1. In addition, the police reminded that drivers traveling north-south through Miaoli on April 12-13 who are not participating in the pilgrimage are advised to use National Highway 1 and National Highway 3 to avoid Taiwan Provincial Highway 1 (106 to 143.5 km) and the Miaoli section of Taiwan Provincial Highway 61. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150409