TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Dajia Matsu Pilgrimage completed its journey on Sunday, returning the idol and sedan chair to the Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung.
On Sunday evening, the sedan chair carrying the idol of the goddess Mastu returned to the Jenn Lann Temple to conclude Taiwan’s largest annual religious event. It is estimated that as many as 800,000 people filled the streets of Taichung's Dajia District on Sunday night to enjoy the festivities, per ET Today.
The event lasted nine days and eight nights and saw hundreds of pilgrims traveling the whole route from Taichung to Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, and back, with hundreds of thousands joining the procession briefly along the way. The pilgrimage set out from Jenn Lann Temple in Dajia District on April 5 and traveled over 340 km, visiting 12 different temples on the route.
As the procession returned to Jenn Lann Temple to be re-enthroned, thousands gathered early to enjoy the lively parades, costumed revelers, and musical performances. Events began in the early afternoon, with parades and performances taking place all day.
To be granted blessings by the goddess Matsu, many believers could be seen crouching in the road as the sedan made its return to Jenn Lann Temple. According to tradition, crawling under the sedan as it passes will bring good fortune for the year.
In recent years, there have been instances of groups representing different temples arguing over possession of the many idols and sedan chairs. This prompted an increased police presence at locations throughout this year’s pilgrimage.
There was also a greater focus on noise pollution and environmental awareness among organizers for this year’s pilgrimages, reported LTN. Participants were encouraged to use eco-friendly firecrackers, which are less noisy and create less air pollution than traditional firecrackers. However, the atmosphere near Jenn Lann Temple was as vibrant, noisy, and crowded as in previous years.
In addition to the main procession, various cultural associations arranged activities and parades in the area, including lion dance competitions, drum troupe performances, and lantern displays, per LTN.
