The Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage () is usually held annually between
lunar January and April in the western plains of
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
, a major
Taoist
Taoism (, ) or Daoism () refers to either a school of philosophical thought (道家; ''daojia'') or to a religion (道教; ''daojiao''), both of which share ideas and concepts of Chinese origin and emphasize living in harmony with the '' Tao ...
religious event since 1863. After every lunar new year, the
Mazu statue of
Gongtian Temple () at Baishatun,
Tongxiao of
Miaoli County, is placed in a palanquin and carried in procession to visit another Mazu Temple-
Chaotian Temple
The Chaotian or Chaotien Temple, officially the Chao-Tian Temple,. & is a temple to the Chinese Goddess Mazu in Beigang Township, Yunlin County, Taiwan. Constructed in 1700, it became one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan and is k ...
(), located in the area of
Beigang
Beigang, Hokkō or Peikang is an Township (Taiwan), urban township in Yunlin County, Taiwan. It is primarily known for its Chaotian Temple, one of the most prominent temples of Mazu, Temples of Lin Moniang, Mazu on Taiwan. It has a population of ...
of
Yunlin County
Yunlin County ( Mandarin pinyin: ''Yúnlín Xiàn''; Taigi POJ: ''Hûn-lîm-koān''; Hakka PFS: ''Yùn-lìm-yen'') is a county in western Taiwan. Yunlin County borders the Taiwan Strait to the west, Nantou County to the east, Changhua County ...
, then returns to Gongtian Temple to end this pilgrimage. The distance covered is approximately 400 km total.
There is another Mazu statue, called "Mazu of the Mountain Side ()", from
Houlong Township () of Miaoli county, that would accompany Baishatun Mazu during the pilgrimage as well.
Feature
Mazu, also spelled as "Matsu", known as a sea goddess who blesses the fishermen with a safe journey during sailing, is widely revered by believers in Taiwan because of her merciful image.
Therefore, the Mazu pilgrimage is one of the popular religious activities in Taiwan.
During the whole pilgrimage, Mazu's palanquin carriers go forward only on foot. Many pilgrims would follow the steps of Mazu's palanquin, traditionally following by walking, but regardless, plenty of the pilgrims would travel by scooter, car, or bicycle. Moreover, the duration and route of Baishatun pilgrimage are not the same in different years, such as 6 days and 5 nights in 2009, versus 12 days and 11 nights in 2017.
The most unique feature of the Baishatun pilgrimage is the route. No matter how it departs or returns, the route is unpredictable, and changes each time.
Supposedly, Mazu's palanquin carriers stated that they held the ability to feel Mazu's will, and that she indicated to them the next direction or where to stop while they were walking. However, pilgrims only know the start point and destination.
Therefore, people regard the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage as the most challenging pilgrimage in Taiwan.
Gallery
File:白沙屯媽祖聖像.JPG, Baishatun Mazu Statue (Pink-faced)
File:白沙屯｜拱天宮 01.jpg, Baishatun Gongtian Temple, Tongxiao, Miaoli County
File:白沙屯媽祖遶境｜兵勇與香燈腳.jpg, The pilgrims
File:白沙屯媽祖遶境｜奉茶.jpg, By tradition, residents offer free supplies to pilgrims.
File:白沙屯媽祖遶境｜王功福海宮.jpg, Baishatun Mazu's palanquin
File:白沙屯媽祖遶境｜北港朝天宮恭迎聖駕.jpg, Beigang Chaotian Temple
The Chaotian or Chaotien Temple, officially the Chao-Tian Temple,. & is a temple to the Chinese Goddess Mazu in Beigang Township, Yunlin County, Taiwan. Constructed in 1700, it became one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan and is k ...
, Yunlin County
See also
*
Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage
References
External links
{{Commons category, Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage
Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage Official Information
(English Website)
Baishatun Matsu Internet TV
on YouTube
Baishatun Gongtien Temple
on Facebook
Taoist pilgrimages
Mazuism in Taiwan