Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage Returns to Gongtian Temple Amid Cheers of "Jin Oh!"
The Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage concluded today with the sedan chair entering Gongtian Temple amidst cheers from tens of thousands of devotees, marking the climax of the 8-day, 7-night religious journey. The event saw some devotees experience discomfort and drew criticism regarding litter.
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Miaoli, April 20 (CNA) - The Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, a walking journey from Tongxiao, Miaoli to Beigang, concluded its final leg today. The sedan chair entered Gongtian Temple in the afternoon amidst loud cheers of "Jin Oh!" from tens of thousands of devotees, followed by the ceremonial placement of Mazu in the main hall, marking the final climax of this year's 8-day, 7-night religious journey.
The Baishatun Mazu sedan chair, after completing a "sedan chair change" in an open space at Tongxiao Qiomao Garden this morning, was carried by eight people. It stopped near the Tongxiao train station for a opera performance at noon, awaiting its return and enthronement at the temple this afternoon.
As the 8-day, 7-night pilgrimage entered its final stages, the area around Gongtian Temple was once again packed with crowds. People lined the alleyways to welcome Mazu back to Baishatun. Enthusiastic groups and businesses set up refreshment stations, offering various beverages and snacks to thank everyone for their arduous journey.
At 4:10 PM, the auspicious time for the return, Gongtian Temple held the Mazu enthronement ceremony. The "Baoma" (messenger), followed by the incense bearer, entered the temple first. Then, the main banner rushed into the temple and was fixed to a dragon pillar in the main hall. Subsequently, the sedan chair performed three forward and three backward movements before the temple gate, and amidst the devotees' united cry of "Jin Oh! Jin Oh!", entered the main hall, where Mazu's divine statue was respectfully placed in the inner sanctum. At this moment, a red curtain was lowered in front of the shrine, allowing Mazu to absorb the spiritual energy of the incense, awaiting the "opening of the furnace" 12 days later.
Chen Chun-fa, secretary-general of the Gongtian Temple committee, stated that with Mazu's consent through three divine筊, the Baishatun Furnace Master's deity also joined the pilgrimage this year. For the first time, during the return and enthronement ceremony, it was placed in the shrine alongside the main Mazu deity, awaiting the opening of the furnace in 12 days.
Gongtian Temple indicated that after Mazu's return and enthronement, an altar was set up in front of the temple. The current Furnace Master, Deputy Furnace Master, and head devotees prepared offerings to Heaven. The Furnace Master then cast筊 to select the next year's Furnace Master and head devotees, continuing the local Mazu faith. Tomorrow, the second Mazu deity will lead various divine sedan chair troupes in a tour of the local area, patrolling the villages within Baishatun's sacrificial circle to bless the region's peace.
Ms. Wu from Changhua said that following the Mazu pilgrimage, she experienced "Taiwan's most beautiful scenery." Strangers encouraged each other, enthusiastic citizens offered free food, proactively picked up trash, and voluntarily lent toilets for pilgrims to wash. These selfless acts inspired self-reflection on what she could do. "Mazu taught us many things, and I am very moved."
During today's return procession, a continuous stream of believers came to greet the sacred chariot. Due to the dense crowds and hot weather, according to the Miaoli County Fire Bureau, at least 8 people experienced physical discomfort and required ambulance services throughout the day. Ambulances were also stuck in the crowds several times. Fortunately, all patients were sent to the hospital for observation and were in stable condition.
Furthermore, this year's registered pilgrims reached a staggering 463,588 people. Some netizens criticized on social media that the devotees left litter everywhere, causing trouble for residents along the route. Regarding this, Chen Chun-fa said that about 200 environmental volunteers were mobilized during the pilgrimage to pick up trash from behind the procession. He stated they did their best and would humbly accept external criticism and strive for improvement. (Editor: Chen Ren-hua) 1150420
The Baishatun Mazu sedan chair, after completing a "sedan chair change" in an open space at Tongxiao Qiomao Garden this morning, was carried by eight people. It stopped near the Tongxiao train station for a opera performance at noon, awaiting its return and enthronement at the temple this afternoon.
As the 8-day, 7-night pilgrimage entered its final stages, the area around Gongtian Temple was once again packed with crowds. People lined the alleyways to welcome Mazu back to Baishatun. Enthusiastic groups and businesses set up refreshment stations, offering various beverages and snacks to thank everyone for their arduous journey.
At 4:10 PM, the auspicious time for the return, Gongtian Temple held the Mazu enthronement ceremony. The "Baoma" (messenger), followed by the incense bearer, entered the temple first. Then, the main banner rushed into the temple and was fixed to a dragon pillar in the main hall. Subsequently, the sedan chair performed three forward and three backward movements before the temple gate, and amidst the devotees' united cry of "Jin Oh! Jin Oh!", entered the main hall, where Mazu's divine statue was respectfully placed in the inner sanctum. At this moment, a red curtain was lowered in front of the shrine, allowing Mazu to absorb the spiritual energy of the incense, awaiting the "opening of the furnace" 12 days later.
Chen Chun-fa, secretary-general of the Gongtian Temple committee, stated that with Mazu's consent through three divine筊, the Baishatun Furnace Master's deity also joined the pilgrimage this year. For the first time, during the return and enthronement ceremony, it was placed in the shrine alongside the main Mazu deity, awaiting the opening of the furnace in 12 days.
Gongtian Temple indicated that after Mazu's return and enthronement, an altar was set up in front of the temple. The current Furnace Master, Deputy Furnace Master, and head devotees prepared offerings to Heaven. The Furnace Master then cast筊 to select the next year's Furnace Master and head devotees, continuing the local Mazu faith. Tomorrow, the second Mazu deity will lead various divine sedan chair troupes in a tour of the local area, patrolling the villages within Baishatun's sacrificial circle to bless the region's peace.
Ms. Wu from Changhua said that following the Mazu pilgrimage, she experienced "Taiwan's most beautiful scenery." Strangers encouraged each other, enthusiastic citizens offered free food, proactively picked up trash, and voluntarily lent toilets for pilgrims to wash. These selfless acts inspired self-reflection on what she could do. "Mazu taught us many things, and I am very moved."
During today's return procession, a continuous stream of believers came to greet the sacred chariot. Due to the dense crowds and hot weather, according to the Miaoli County Fire Bureau, at least 8 people experienced physical discomfort and required ambulance services throughout the day. Ambulances were also stuck in the crowds several times. Fortunately, all patients were sent to the hospital for observation and were in stable condition.
Furthermore, this year's registered pilgrims reached a staggering 463,588 people. Some netizens criticized on social media that the devotees left litter everywhere, causing trouble for residents along the route. Regarding this, Chen Chun-fa said that about 200 environmental volunteers were mobilized during the pilgrimage to pick up trash from behind the procession. He stated they did their best and would humbly accept external criticism and strive for improvement. (Editor: Chen Ren-hua) 1150420