TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage Procession came to an end this Monday morning (May 1), completing a 340 km trek that took place over nine days and eight nights.
Billed as one of the world’s three largest religious activities by the Discovery Channel it is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The pilgrimage covers the nearby counties of Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi.
Throughout the pilgrimage, Mazu is carried in a sedan chair on the shoulders of devotees, with those seeking blessings frequently genuflecting along the route, allowing Mazu to pass over them, imparting a blessing.
Vegetarian food and drink is also freely given along the entire procession route. The vittals are often sponsored by local businesses eager to seek favor from Mazu.
As Mazu returned to Taichung’s Jenn Lann Temple, the crowd became extremely dense, complicating the procession. Mazu was expected to arrive at the entrance of the Jenn Lann Temple late last night, though her sedan finally entered the temple early Monday.
This year’s pilgrimage attracted a larger crowd as similar events from 2020-2022 were suspended due to the COVID pandemic. The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage Procession began on the evening of April 21, visiting many temples in nearby counties.
As Mazu entered her hometown of Taichung’s Dajia District yesterday afternoon, a sea of people turned out with free food and drink stations lining the route, with many seeking out one last chance to encounter Mazu.
Chaotic conclusion to Dajia Mazu Procession Pilgrimage this morning. (CNA photo)
This year’s pilgrimage procession has been complicated by large crowds and traffic, which delayed the return schedule with Dajia Mazu finally entering Jenn Lann Temple at 0:45 a.m. on Monday (May 1).
Taichung City Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-jung (黃國榮) and other VIPs participated in a ceremony associated with the seating of Dajia Mazu in her home temple. The scene was briefly chaotic when Dajia Mazu was removed from her sedan chair and devotees rushed forward to touch the statue.
In the end, she was placed on the altar and a brief worship ceremony took place, bringing a fitting end to this year’s record-setting pilgrimage procession.
