Visitors to Sinjhuang (新莊) in New Taipei City (新北市), will get a taste of an authentic festival when a Matsu-worship event begins there today.
The Matsu Cultural Festival, now in its third year, runs from today through April 16 and features a series of activities. These include today’s launch ceremony, a pilgrimage, divination block throwing competitions, a photo exhibition and an exhibition on Matsu.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ciyou Temple in Sinjhuang on Wednesday, New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫) said hosting the festival in Sinjhuang was meaningful, as it was one of the oldest population centers in the Taipei area.
Photo: Tsai Pai-ling, Taipei Times
Ciyou Temple, built in 1686 and renovated in 1753, is one of the country’s three oldest Matsu temples, along with the Tienhou Temple in Penghu, built in 1604, and the Luerhmen Tianhou Temple in Tainan, established in 1661, he said.
It is estimated that 3,000 devotees will join the pilgrimage, which starts tomorrow, forming a long procession carrying images of Matsu that will travel across part of the district. Traffic measures will be implemented.
Those who want to pay their respects to Matsu without attending the festival can use their smartphone, as an app allows smartphone users to pay their “virtual” respects to the goddess.
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