Devotees Throng Xingang Fengtian Temple to Celebrate Dajia Mazu's Birthday; Pingan Cakes Distributed
The grand birthday celebration for Dajia Mazu was held at Xingang Fengtian Temple, drawing a massive crowd of devotees praying for peace and happiness. This year, Pingan cakes were distributed instead of pork, and Dajia Mazu is scheduled to return from her pilgrimage tonight at 10:45 PM.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 14:11
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 14:31 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 00:36 (10h 4m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Chih-ming, Chiayi County, April 21) Dajia Mazu stayed overnight at Xingang Fengtian Temple last night, and a grand birthday celebration was held this morning. The temple this year distributed 'Pingan cake' instead of pork to the devotees, and the temple, inside and out, was packed with worshippers celebrating Mazu's birthday, devoutly praying for peace and happiness; Dajia Mazu is scheduled to return tonight at 10:45 PM.
The ceremony was held on an altar set up in front of Fengtian Temple, lasting about two hours. It proceeded with firing cannons and playing music, performing a welcoming dance for the gods, respectfully reading the 'Birthday Prayer for Heavenly Holy Mother Mazu', performing three kneelings and nine kowtows, and presenting memorial tablets; Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang, Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei, Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Kuan-ting, Kuomintang Legislators Yen Kuan-heng, Lin Chien-chi, and Fu Kun-chi participated in the ceremony, praying for Mazu's eternal longevity.
Before the end of the ceremony, Yen Ching-piao, chairman of Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, consulted Mazu for the return time through 'Bo 杯 (筊, divining blocks)' and received Mazu's instruction to return at 10:45 PM tonight. In his speech, Yen Ching-piao thanked the households in Xingang for their hospitality towards Dajia Mazu's devotees and invited everyone to Dajia for a treat on Mazu's birthday on the 23rd day of the third lunar month.
Hsu Kuo-yung said that he attended on behalf of the Democratic Progressive Party Chairman and President Lai Ching-te, praying to Mazu's divine power for national peace, favorable weather, and everyone's good health.
Weng Chang-liang stated that he was very pleased to see everyone come to Xingang Fengtian Temple to devoutly celebrate Mazu's birthday. Many people came to Chiayi in March to attend the Taiwan Lantern Festival, giving great support to the festival, and he thanked everyone here, hoping Mazu would bless Chiayi to continue developing, Taiwan to be peaceful, and everyone's wishes to come true.
After the ceremony, devotees rushed to the altar to snatch the sacrificial flowers, wanting to take them home for safety, which made the Fengtian Temple staff quite nervous, continuously broadcasting for everyone to leave to prevent the altar from collapsing.
Fengtian Temple stated that in previous years, the birthday celebration would involve slaughtering ten to twenty pigs and sheep. This year, based on environmental considerations, only three pigs were used for the sacrifice. Originally, after the ceremony, the pork and lamb would be divided into small pieces for devotees to take home. However, due to the limited amount of pork, Pingan cake was used instead of pork for distribution to the devotees.
Dajia Jenn Lann Temple's Mazu pilgrimage started on the evening of the 17th, arrived in Xingang, Chiayi yesterday afternoon to stay at Fengtian Temple, will return tonight, and will be enthroned back at Dajia Jenn Lann Temple on the 26th. (Edited by Chen Ching-fang) 1150421
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(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Chih-ming, Chiayi County, April 21) Dajia Mazu stayed overnight at Xingang Fengtian Temple last night, and a grand birthday celebration was held this morning. The temple this year distributed 'Pingan cake' instead of pork to the devotees, and the temple, inside and out, was packed with worshippers celebrating Mazu's birthday, devoutly praying for peace and happiness; Dajia Mazu is scheduled to return tonight at 10:45 PM.
The ceremony was held on an altar set up in front of Fengtian Temple, lasting about two hours. It proceeded with firing cannons and playing music, performing a welcoming dance for the gods, respectfully reading the 'Birthday Prayer for Heavenly Holy Mother Mazu', performing three kneelings and nine kowtows, and presenting memorial tablets; Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang, Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei, Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Kuan-ting, Kuomintang Legislators Yen Kuan-heng, Lin Chien-chi, and Fu Kun-chi participated in the ceremony, praying for Mazu's eternal longevity.
Before the end of the ceremony, Yen Ching-piao, chairman of Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, consulted Mazu for the return time through 'Bo 杯 (筊, divining blocks)' and received Mazu's instruction to return at 10:45 PM tonight. In his speech, Yen Ching-piao thanked the households in Xingang for their hospitality towards Dajia Mazu's devotees and invited everyone to Dajia for a treat on Mazu's birthday on the 23rd day of the third lunar month.
Hsu Kuo-yung said that he attended on behalf of the Democratic Progressive Party Chairman and President Lai Ching-te, praying to Mazu's divine power for national peace, favorable weather, and everyone's good health.
Weng Chang-liang stated that he was very pleased to see everyone come to Xingang Fengtian Temple to devoutly celebrate Mazu's birthday. Many people came to Chiayi in March to attend the Taiwan Lantern Festival, giving great support to the festival, and he thanked everyone here, hoping Mazu would bless Chiayi to continue developing, Taiwan to be peaceful, and everyone's wishes to come true.
After the ceremony, devotees rushed to the altar to snatch the sacrificial flowers, wanting to take them home for safety, which made the Fengtian Temple staff quite nervous, continuously broadcasting for everyone to leave to prevent the altar from collapsing.
Fengtian Temple stated that in previous years, the birthday celebration would involve slaughtering ten to twenty pigs and sheep. This year, based on environmental considerations, only three pigs were used for the sacrifice. Originally, after the ceremony, the pork and lamb would be divided into small pieces for devotees to take home. However, due to the limited amount of pork, Pingan cake was used instead of pork for distribution to the devotees.
Dajia Jenn Lann Temple's Mazu pilgrimage started on the evening of the 17th, arrived in Xingang, Chiayi yesterday afternoon to stay at Fengtian Temple, will return tonight, and will be enthroned back at Dajia Jenn Lann Temple on the 26th. (Edited by Chen Ching-fang) 1150421
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a power to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcasted, transmitted, or utilized without authorization.