Dajia Mazu pilgrimage marred by clashes, runs 2 hours overtime

Taipei, April 14 (CNA) The annual Dajia Mazu pilgrimage concluded early Monday morning, when the statues of the sea goddess were returned to Dajia Township's Jenn Lann Temple around 1 a.m., more than two hours behind schedule, due to huge crowds and scuffles that marred the procession.

The three Mazu statues was scheduled to be returned to their pedestals at 11 p.m. Sunday, but the procession was delayed by over two hours because of clashes in the tightly packed crowds.

The palanquin bearing the Mazu statues did not arrive at Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung until 1:10 a.m. Monday, after which an enshrinement ceremony was held. The attendees included temple Chairman Yen Ching-piao (顏清標) and Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin (鄭照新).

On Sunday night, as the Mazu statues were being carried back to Jenn Lann Temple, pushing and shoving broke out in two locations. Some of these incidents were recorded and posted on social media.

According to Dajia police, when the Mazu statues reached the intersection of Sanmin and Dexing roads in Dajia at about 10:43 p.m. Sunday, worshippers began pushing to help carry the sedan chair, as that is believed to bring good luck.

The rush resulted in scuffles between pilgrims and members of the temple's security group, police said.

Five people were arrested and taken to a local police station for questioning at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, according to police.

A similar incident occurred at 9:48 p.m. Sunday on Wenwu Road in the township, police said.

On Saturday at 9:50 p.m., a man who appeared intoxicated got into a conflict with another pilgrim, as they jostled to hold the umbrella that was shielding one of the Mazu statues from the sun in Taichung's Shalu District, Qingshui police said Monday.

The two men, both 32 years old, were asked to report to a local police station for questioning and could face a fine of up to NT$18,000 (US$554), police said, citing the Social Order Maintenance Act.

The nine-day procession, winding 340 kilometers through Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi and back again, got underway at 10:45 p.m. on April 4 from Dajia Township's Jenn Lann Temple, led by the Mazu palanquin.