Temple of the Wind God

　　    The Temple of the Wind God is a Grade III historic site situated in West Central District, Tainan City. It is the only temple in Taiwan that primarily worships the Wind God and is ranked among the Seven Temples and Eight Shrines of the Taiwan Prefecture. It was established in the fourth year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1739) by Eshan, the Taiwan Circuit Intendant. The temple was built on the right side of the Nanhé Port waterway, just outside the Great West Gate of the Taiwan Prefecture, adjacent to the Anlan Bridge. Originally a four-courtyard structure, the first courtyard served as the main gate, the second as the official hall, the third as the Hall of the Wind God, and the fourth as the Hall of Guanyin. The fourth courtyard was added after relocating the official greeting pavilion, originally located at Jieting at the Dajingtou well in Chikan Street, to this site, aiming to bless travelers and boats with safe journeys.

　　    During the Japanese colonial period, in the seventh year of the Taishō era (1918), an urban redevelopment plan led to the demolition of the original halls and shrines of the Temple of the Wind God. In the thirteenth year of Taishō (1924), local gentry raised funds to rebuild the temple on the site of the original first-courtyard official hall. The deities originally enshrined in the Hall of the Wind God were moved here for worship. After several subsequent renovations, the temple took on its present form. The current Temple of the Wind God is configured as a simple three-sided courtyard house, with the main hall spanning three bays and accompanied by a worship pavilion. The temple primarily worships the Wind God. On the left side of the Wind God, a statue of Jiang Yuanshu, the prefect of Taiwan, was originally enshrined but has since been stolen. On the right side, a statue of the Buddha is worshipped. Additionally, the temple also honors the Thunder God and the Lightning Goddess, attracting worshippers throughout the year.

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