[Have you worshipped the God of Age (Tai Sui) yet?] As the Year of the Pig arrives, here’s a lazy guide to temples across Taiwan for worshipping Tai Sui

Jinnianshushederenshiyezhengwang,Yaoxiaoxinchulirenjiguanxi,Zhuyiyushangsihexiashudeguanxi,Yeyaozaijiatingfangmianduoyongxin.But as long as you work diligently and do every task well, you can overcome any difficulty!

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The most well-known temple in Taipei for calming the God of Age (Antaisui) is Longshan Temple. Every year, it attracts numerous people who come to queue up for calming the God of Age and lighting auspicious lamps. Some worshippers even start queuing a month in advance to secure a lamp from the Medicine Buddha at Longshan Temple.Longshan Temple primarily enshrines Guanyin Bodhisattva (Goddess of Mercy), and one of its features is a pair of bronze dragon pillars unique in Taiwan. The temple's exterior boasts exquisite decorations including painted murals, wood carvings, stone sculptures, and cut-and-paste plasterwork, giving it an impressive and majestic appearance. It is considered one of Taiwan's most prestigious temples.

Located next to the Raohe Night Market in Taipei City, the Mazu Temple — Songshan Ciyou Temple — was built in the 18th year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign and has been standing for 266 years since its establishment.The number of lanterns lit each year is around 240,000. Because demand often exceeds supply in recent years, Songshan Ciyou Temple has frequently increased the number of light-offering lanterns available for the public.>The public's demand for pharmacist lanterns has also been increasing year by year, often selling out within two months.

A reminder for praying to the God of Age:Songshan Ciyou Temple has partnered with Yuanta Bank for the “Online Lantern Lighting and Calamity Relief” service. In addition to applying for lantern lighting via the APP, users can also pay via ATM by scanning the receipt, making the process more convenient without the need to crowd in person!

Online lighting:Online lighting ceremony for the An Tai Sui event at Songshan Ciyou Temple

Cost of An Tai Sui (protective ritual against the Grand Duke Jupiter):NT$660

The over 200-year-old Dajia Zhenlan Temple is also one of Taiwan's well-known Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) temples.The Hall of the God of Age (Taisuiting) at Dajia Zhanglan Temple enshrines the God of Age, also known as Doumu Yuanjun. The statue is modeled after the one at Beijing's White Cloud Temple.The Dajia Zhenlan Temple enjoys bustling incense offerings and a constant stream of worshippers throughout the year. During the Lunar New Year, there is also a competition to offer the first incense of the year. Last year’s first incense winner received a golden statue of Mazu worth 18,000 yuan.As the Lunar New Year approaches, many people also come to Zhenlan Temple to pray for peace and safety by registering for the Tai Sui (God of Age) protection and lighting Fortune Lamps.

A reminder for praying to the God of Age:>The Dajia Zhenlan Temple has offered an online lamp application service for many years. After applying online, the lantern can be enshrined in the temple, but there are usually limits on the number of people who can apply online.

Online lighting:Dajia Zhenlan Temple Online Lantern Lighting Service

Cost of An Tai Sui (protective ritual against the Grand Duke Jupiter):NT$520

Daoluganglongshansiantaisui,Huiyousiwurenyuanweiqishuxiemingpai,Fangzhiyulongshansihoudiantaisuitingdeqiangbishangyiqiqiupingan,Erqiemeirihuiyouzhaiguhexinzhongsongjingqifu.Lukang Longshan Temple, dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, is the most completely preserved Qing dynasty architectural site in Taiwan and is also a first-class historical monument. It is renowned in the tourism industry as the “Forbidden City of Taiwan.”

A reminder for praying to the God of Age:Visiting Lukang Longshan Temple to calm the Tai Sui (Year God) can also earn you a protective amulet blessed by Guanyin Bodhisattva for safety!

Online Lantern Lighting:Lunghua Longshan Temple Online Lantern Lighting

Fee for An Tai Sui (Calming the God of Age):NT$500

Fuxing Temple’s main hall enshrines Doumu Yuanjun and the sixty Deities of the Year. To avoid offending the Tai Sui deity, those born in a conflicting year must worship the Tai Sui deity during the New Year period to pray for peace and smoothness in the coming year. In addition to lighting an An Tai Sui lamp, Fuxing Temple also hosts the classic folk tradition of grabbing the first incense stick from the first to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. Grabbing the first incense not only prays for good luck all year but also earns you many great gifts too!

Reminder for An Tai Sui:Visiting Lunghua Longshan Temple to An Tai Sui also entitles you to a protective amulet blessed by Guanyin Bodhisattva for safety and peace.

Online Lantern Lighting:Siluo Fuxing Temple Online Lantern Lighting

Fee for An Tai Sui:NT$500

The main deity worshipped at Kaohsiung Sanfeng Temple is Nezha, the Marshal of the Central Altar. It is one of the oldest temples dedicated to the Third Prince in Taiwan. Due to his legendary journey from hardship to enlightenment and his feet stepping on the wind-fire wheels, which carry connotations of turning one’s fortune around, it has become a shrine where devotees pray for a change in luck and prosperity. With over 300 years of history, many people visit Sanfeng Temple on New Year’s Eve to pray for a smooth and fortunate new year.

Reminder for An Tai Sui:Kaohsiung Sanfeng Temple offers an online lantern lighting service, but currently, payment is only accepted via credit card.

Online Lantern Lighting:Kaohsiung Sanfeng Temple Online Lantern Lighting

Fee for An Tai Sui:NT$300

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