Baishatun Mazu's Final Leg of Return Journey; 'Pink Supercar' Switches to an 8-Person Sedan Chair

The Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage procession will return to Gongtian Temple this afternoon. This morning, a 'carriage change' ceremony was completed at an open space in Qiuyuanyuan, Tongxiao Township. The deity's divine statue was transferred from the light and agile 'Pink Supercar' to a magnificent eight-person sedan chair, while the Shanbian Mazu also transferred to her own sedan chair, continuing the procession north. According to the Gongtian Temple Culture Group, the carriage change ceremony begins with the 'Reporter of Good News' (baomazai) reciting prayers to respectfully invite Mazu to change carriages. As the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage route is not fixed, the baomazai does not participate in the Beigang pilgrimage, appearing for the first time only during the carriage change to invite Mazu to switch carriages and to inform villagers of Mazu's imminent return. Lin Xing-fu, secretary of Gongtian Temple, stated that Qiuyuanyuan in Xinpu, Tongxiao, is the southernmost point of the traditional northern and southern villages within Baishatun Mazu's worship area. The 'carriage change' here signifies officially entering Baishatun Mazu's faith domain, and devotees respectfully invite Mazu to ride in the eight-person sedan chair, preparing for a glorious return to the temple. The 'carriage change' is the first opportunity for devotees to see Mazu's divine statue during the return journey. The honor of being the first to worship Mazu on this occasion is called '搶頭香' (qiǎng tóu xiāng - seizing the first incense). Although named 'seizing the first incense,' there is no actual struggle in Baishatun. The Baishatun East and West villages, North village, and South village take turns annually, designating a person to hold the first incense lamp and stand beside Mazu's sedan chair, performing a kowtow. This represents the settlement obtaining the 'first incense.' Among the many crowds present, former President Tsai Ing-wen, accompanied by Chen Pin-an, the Democratic Progressive Party's candidate for Magistrate of Miaoli County, also participated in the carriage change ceremony. After Mazu completed the carriage change, the procession continued its journey north. At noon, the palanquin watched a performance at a stage near the Baishatun train station, awaiting the auspicious time in the afternoon to return to Gongtian Temple for enshrinement. (Edited by: Chen Ching-fang) 2026-04-20