Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage begins

Taipei, May 2 (CNA) The annual Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, widely recognized as Taiwan's longest religious procession on foot, began in Miaoli County early Friday, drawing a record-breaking 329,118 registered participants.

The pilgrimage honors the sea goddess Mazu, who is enshrined at Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, a coastal township in Miaoli.

The 10-day journey to Chaotian Temple in Beigang, Yunlin County, spans more than 300 kilometers and is notable for its unpredictable route and timing. The two temples are approximately 120 km apart.

The goddess was placed in her palanquin, nicknamed the "pink sports car," at 11:25 p.m. before the procession began at 12:03 a.m. Friday.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) visited Gongtian Temple on Thursday evening to participate in the ceremonial removal of the Mazu statue.

Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin (鍾東錦), Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei (王惠美), and Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) were also in attendance.

"Shanbian Mazu," a counterpart deity from Houlong Township in Miaoli, was also placed on the palanquin at 11:50 p.m. to join the pilgrimage.

Chung said the pilgrimage was designated a national intangible cultural asset in 2010 due to its historical and cultural significance.

Gongtian Temple said that the outbound leg of the pilgrimage to Beigang is expected to take 34-37 hours.

Mazu is scheduled to arrive in Beigang at 11 a.m. Saturday, ahead of the holy fire ceremony at Chaotian Temple at 12:40 a.m. Sunday.

In previous years, the return leg of the pilgrimage has been completed in similarly short time frames. In 2024, devotees returned from Yunlin to Miaoli in just 34 hours.

The Ministry of the Interior describes the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage as Taiwan's longest religious walk in terms of distance and the only one in the country with a route, duration, and rest stops that change annually.