Dajia Mazu Embarks on New Sedan Chair for 9-Day Pilgrimage; Foreigners Also Join the Mazu Craze

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency, Taichung, April 17) The Mazu of Dajia Zhenlan Temple today boarded a new sedan chair and embarked on its 9-day, 8-night pilgrimage journey at 10:05 PM. The temple was bustling with crowds all day, with even foreigners joining in the Mazu fervor. The temple estimates approximately 600,000 devotees saw off Mazu.

At 10:05 PM, the sound of bugles filled the air as the sedan chair bearers lifted Mazu's palanquin. After three bursts of celebratory firecrackers, Mazu's palanquin slowly moved forward amidst the throng of thousands of devotees, beginning its 340-kilometer pilgrimage.

Tonight, Zhenlan Temple Chairman Yan Qingbiao, Vice Chairman Zheng Mingkun, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, and KMT Chairman Zheng Liwen helped carry the palanquin. Legislative Yuan Vice President Chiang Chi-chen, Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei, and KMT legislator Fu Kun-chi also attended the Mazu departure ceremony.

This year's theme for the Zhenlan Temple Mazu pilgrimage is 'Goodness' (善). Temples participating in the pilgrimage from various regions arrived at Zhenlan Temple successively today. Waves of pilgrims continuously poured into the temple, holding incense and devoutly worshiping Mazu. Even foreigners came to follow Mazu.

Wu Besi from Denmark and her friends participated in the Mazu pilgrimage for the first time. She said Taiwanese culture is very interesting, with many people participating in religious gatherings, and she feels the beauty of Taiwanese temples. She can't wait to experience Mazu culture and the free delicious food along the way.

The temple held the ceremony of ascending the palanquin in the afternoon. Blue and green political figures gathered, including Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, Chiang Chi-chen, DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung, DPP legislator Ho Hsin-chun, KMT legislator Yan Kuan-heng, and Liao Wei-hsiang.

'Going in! Going in!' The temple officials escorted the main Mazu statue, the vice-main statue, the Meizhou Mazu, and the generals Qianliyan and Shunfenger one by one onto the palanquin. However, while transferring the deity statues, Qianliyan General accidentally fell to the ground, causing gasps from the crowd below.

Lin Mao-hsien, an associate professor at the Department of Taiwanese Language and Literature, National Taichung University of Education, stated that this was 'human error.' He added that the doll falling to the ground might cause psychological discomfort to devotees but would not affect national fortune, and there's no need to interpret it in a metaphysical way.

As Mazu departed tonight, a minor mishap occurred as the sedan chair prepared to leave the temple gate. Yan Qingbiao's head was accidentally covered by the sedan chair's waterproof cover. After he removed the cover, possibly due to the height of the steps, Yan Qingbiao slipped and grabbed the sedan chair's handrail, nearly falling.

Mazu of Zhenlan Temple departed at 10:05 PM on the 17th, passing through Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi counties and cities, covering a total distance of over 340 kilometers. Along the route, many volunteers set up snack stalls, offering fried noodles, cool drinks, and ice cream. On the 20th and 21st, it will stay at Xingang Fengtian Temple and hold a birthday ceremony before returning, expected to arrive back at Zhenlan Temple on the 26th. (Editor: Chen Zhengjian) 1150417

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