aeeble

The ancestral Mazu temple of Taiwan, Beigang Chaotian Temple in Yunlin, is dedicated to Mazu and is popularly described as “Mazu of Guandu in the north, Mazu of Beigang in the south.” A nationally designated historic site, it hosts the nation-level folk event “Beigang Mazu Parade” on the 19th and 20th days of the third lunar month, an exuberant celebration that has fostered generations of Beigang artisans and century-old performance troupes. Located in Beigang, Yunlin, Beigang Chaotian Temple—formerly known as “Tianfei Temple” or “Tianhou Temple”—is a venerable Mazu temple founded in 1694, with a history of more than 300 years, and is classified as a Grade 2 national monument. Religious temples serve as an important spiritual refuge for the people; each year on the 19th and 20th days of the third lunar month, the “Beigang Chaotian Temple Mazu Procession” turns Beigang into its liveliest time, making everyone “Mazu-crazy.” The procession does not extend into other counties or cities, yet it features many distinctive elements unique to Beigang Chaotian Temple.