Taiwan's annual Dajia Mazu pilgrimage sets off from Taichung temple

Taichung, April 5 (CNA) An annual pilgrimage of the sea goddess Mazu, one of the most-watched religious events in Taiwan, set off Friday night from Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung.

The nine-day procession, which takes the sea goddess on a 340-kilometer journey through Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi and back, began with a palanquin carrying an effigy of Mazu setting out from the temple at 10:45 p.m.

Earlier in the day, a prayer activity held at Jenn Lann Temple was attended by various political figures, including opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) and Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣).

During a departure ceremony held later that night, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) and several KMT lawmakers also arrived to offer their blessings to Mazu.

The Taichung temple estimated that around 600,000 people participated in the day's activities.

Every year, large crowds of Mazu followers line the streets along which the palanquin is scheduled to travel to pray for good fortune, some even lay on the ground and let the palanquin pass above them.

Those who observe this custom believe it allows them to bathe in Mazu's blessings.

The Mazu statue is scheduled to return to its altar on April 13.

Mazu, also known by other names including Tian Hou (Queen of Heaven), is a deity who has been worshipped since at least the 12th century. Originally from southeastern China's Fujian province, she was a Fujianese shamaness believed to have special powers in protecting fishermen and seafarers.

Over the centuries, worship of Mazu spread throughout China's coastal regions and overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Belief in Mazu was brought by early Chinese settlers to Taiwan, where it is still extensively practiced.

In later years, the deity came to be regarded as a benevolent protector of all, not just fishermen and seafarers.