Taichung: The annual pilgrimage honoring the sea goddess Mazu at Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung, one of Taiwan's most significant religious events, is scheduled to commence at 10:05 p.m. on April 17. The date and time were finalized after Yen Ching-piao, chairman of the Jenn Lann Temple board, performed a traditional rite seeking the deity's approval by casting a pair of crescent-shaped divination blocks in front of a Mazu statue.
According to Focus Taiwan, the theme of this year's pilgrimage is "kindness." The Dajia Jenn Lann Temple highlighted that the annual procession showcases the "best things" in Taiwan, with people along the route offering snacks, water, massage services, and medical assistance. Tens of thousands of participants voluntarily engage in promoting kindness, creating what the temple described as a virtuous cycle of goodwill.
This year, the organizers have introduced a change by replacing pork offerings with "Ping-An" rice cakes, a traditional ritual of earlier followers. This adjustment could potentially reduce the number of pigs offered during the event, the temple stated. The pilgrimage spans a night-day, eight-night route, including stops at several temples in Taichung, Changhua County, Yunlin County, and Chiayi County before returning to Dajia.