Taiwan’s two largest Mazu pilgrimages kicked off April 7 in the northern county of Miaoli and the central city of Taichung, respectively, drawing tens of thousands of worshippers and spotlighting the vibrancy of the nation’s religious culture.
The processions are among the most widely anticipated annual events in the country, and have been described by the Discovery Channel as one of the three major religious activities in the world. They are held to celebrate the birthday of Mazu, goddess of the sea.
Speaking at the commencement of the Taichung procession, President Tsai Ing-wen described the Mazu pilgrimage as an event that every person should experience at least once in their lifetime. The perseverance and unity showed by devotees reflects the indomitable spirit of the Taiwan people, she said.
The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage departed from Jennlann Temple in Taichung on a 340-kilometer round-trip procession stopping at seven temples in the city, neighboring Changhua County, the western county of Yunlin and Chiayi County in southern Taiwan. According to Taichung City Government, the nine-day event is estimated to attract more than 1 million visitors each year.
Setting off from Gong Tian Temple in Miaoli, the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage adheres to the old tradition of not following a fixed route. The 10-day round-trip procession will return after reaching its southernmost destination of Chaotian Temple in Yunlin’s Beigang Township.
On the eve of the two pilgrimages, the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced that an episode of U.S. TV show “Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope” about Taiwan’s Mazu festival and offshore islands has been nominated at the 46th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Co-produced by the bureau and U.S. Public Broadcasting Service, it spotlights the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage, as well as the historical and natural landscapes of the Matsu islands in outlying Lienchiang County. It is up for Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Lifestyle, Culinary, Travel or Educational and Informational Program.
Mazu is the most revered deity in Taiwan. The nation is home to an estimated 2,300 temples dedicated to the goddess. (CPY-E)
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