Taichung: The annual Dajia Mazu pilgrimage concluded early Monday morning, as the statues of the sea goddess were returned to Dajia Township's Jenn Lann Temple around 1 a.m. This marked a delay of over two hours from the scheduled time due to the large crowds and scuffles that disrupted the procession.
According to Focus Taiwan, the three Mazu statues were originally supposed to be returned to their pedestals by 11 p.m. on Sunday. However, the procession was set back by more than two hours because of clashes within the densely packed crowds. The palanquin carrying the Mazu statues did not reach Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung until 1:10 a.m. Monday, at which point an enshrinement ceremony took place. Notable attendees included temple Chairman Yen Ching-piao and Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin.
On Sunday night, as the Mazu statues were being transported back to Jenn Lann Temple, pushing and shoving erupted in two locations, with some incidents being recorded and shared on social media. Dajia police reported that when the Mazu statues arrived at the intersection of Sanmin and Dexing roads at approximately 10:43 p.m., worshippers began pushing to assist in carrying the sedan chair, a gesture believed to bring good luck. This rush led to altercations between pilgrims and members of the temple's security team.
Five individuals were apprehended and taken to a local police station for questioning at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, according to police. Another similar incident was reported at 9:48 p.m. on Wenwu Road in the township.
In a separate incident on Saturday at 9:50 p.m., an intoxicated man became involved in a dispute with another pilgrim as they vied for the chance to hold the umbrella shielding one of the Mazu statues from the sun in Taichung's Shalu District. Qingshui police stated on Monday that both men, aged 32, were asked to report to a local police station for questioning and could face fines of up to NT$18,000 (US$554), as per the Social Order Maintenance Act.
The nine-day pilgrimage, which covered 340 kilometers through Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, and back, commenced at 10:45 p.m. on April 4 from Dajia Township's Jenn Lann Temple, led by the Mazu palanquin.