Da-Jia Zhen-Lan Temple

Messenger

Troupe of Horns

Sen Liu Zhi Shi

Pilgrimage Procession

　 Date  : Around the birthday of Matsu
　 　　　 (the 23rd day of the third lunar month)
　 Place: Zhen-Lan Temple, Da-Jia, Taichung County

      The Da-Jia Matsu Pilgrimage Procession in the third lunar month is the biggest folk festival in Taiwan. Groups of pilgrims come from near and far, forming an enormous procession for 8 days and 7 nights, traveling on foot from Zhen-Lan Temple in Da-Jia to Fong-Tien Temple in Hsinkang and backwards. The procession of pilgrims travels across 4 counties along the sea (Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi), passing through 15 towns and stopping at some 60 temples along the way. The journey is more than 200 km long, and the boisterous scenes of this remarkable event are hard to forget.

      The date of this festival is not fixed; it is determined according to the result of consultation with the goddess by tossing a wooden divination device called 'Chao' on the Lantern Festival (January 15th on the lunar calendar). It is usually held around the time of Matsu's birthday (the 23rd day of the third lunar month). When the day arrives, the courtyard of Zhen-Lan Temple in Da-Jia will be filled with an enormous crowd and the sounds of joy. By sunset, under the twinkling decorative lights at the temple, the groups of pilgrims and folk festival troupes assemble and then set out on their long journey.

      A messenger leads all the pilgrim groups and announces Matsu's arrival at each stop along the way. The messenger holds an umbrella from which a pig's leg dangles, wearing a straw sandal on one foot while the other foot is bare. He is followed by a spectacular procession of festival troupes, including the leading banner troupe, leading lantern troupe, big drum troupe, embroidered banner troupe, sen liu zhi shi whose members are clad in the uniforms of ancient soldiers and civil servants and wield all kinds of traditional weapons. There are also the troupes of the big goddess puppets, and Qian Li Yan (the god who can see a thousand miles) and Shun Feng Er (the god who can hear from far away) who solemnly lead the way for Matsu. Following a solemn musical group of drums, horns, and horse-headed gongs, the exquisitely carved sedan chair of Matsu gently makes it way along the parade route. The followers kneel on the ground, and let the sedan chair of Matsu pass over their heads. It is believed that Matsu will thus guard the safety of their families. The sedan chair of Matsu is followed by tens of thousands of pilgrims. The worshipers along the road kneel on the ground in worship, while presenting luxuriant meals for Matsu and the pilgrims. The smaller temples in the counties and villages will organize performances of festival troupes for welcoming Matsu's arrival. The pilgrims' arrival at the Feng-Tien Temple in Hsinkang marks the start of a splendid birthday celebration. The excitement continues when the pilgrims make the return journey to Da-Jia Temple.

      The marvelous annual pilgrimage brings the worshipers' hearts together. The followers express their strong convictions by traveling the long journey on foot, by welcoming the Matsu pilgrimage procession, by giving alms, and by crawling under Matsu's sedan chair. The worshipers' faith in Matsu is strengthened through these activities. The event is not only a moment for worshiping the goddess of sea, it also offers residents a time for recreation and for solidifying their fellowship, and provides an excellent opportunity for experiencing local culture.