The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage Begins with Over 100,000 People Competing to Carry the Palanquin; 20-Meter Mazu Figure Draws Huge Attention

▲ This year’s Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage began at 11 p.m. on the 6th, with devotees competing to carry the palanquin. (Photo / fromDajia Zhenlan Temple - I Love Dajia Mazu [Official] Fan Page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Dubbed one of the world’s three major religious events, the “Dajia Zhenlan Temple Mazu Pilgrimage” incense ceremony commenced at 11 p.m. on the 6th, kicking off this year’s 9-day, 8-night journey. On the night of departure, over 100,000 devotees flocked to Dajia to participate, all seeking blessings and scrambling to touch the Mazu palanquin in hopes of good fortune for the year.

Recognized by the Discovery Channel as one of the world’s top religious events alongside the Vatican Christmas Mass and the Hajj to Mecca, this year’s Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage is in full swing. Over the course of 9 days, the journey will take the parade from Taichung through Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi—four counties and cities—before returning to Zhenlan Temple on the evening of the 15th. The entire pilgrimage is expected to attract over 1.5 million participants. On the 6th night, the small town of Dajia in Taichung saw an influx of over 100,000 devotees, all eager to witness the departure of Mazu.

This year’s Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage procession has also welcomed new members: a 20-meter-tall Mazu figure and 18-meter-tall inflatable figures of Qianliyan and Shunfeng’er, who will accompany Mazu as she travels through the four counties and cities, becoming another eye-catching highlight alongside the divine palanquin.

% The large inflatable figures of Mazu, Qianliyan, and Shunfeng’er will also join this year’s Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage. (Photo / Provided by Taichung City Government)