The annual Baishatun Matsu pilgrimage, widely recognized as Taiwan's longest religious procession on foot, began in Miaoli County early today, drawing a record-breaking 329,118 registered participants.
The pilgrimage honors the sea goddess Matsu, 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 300km and is notable for its unpredictable route and timing.
Photo: Taipei Times
The two temples are about 120km apart.
The goddess was placed in her palanquin, nicknamed the "pink sports car," at 11:25pm before the procession began at 12:03am today.
President William Lai (賴清德) visited Gongtian Temple yesterday evening to participate in the ceremonial removal of the Matsu statue.
Miaoli County Commissioner Chung Tung-chin (鍾東錦), Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Changhua County Commissioner Wang Hui-mei (王惠美) and Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Li-shan (張麗善) were also in attendance.
"Shanbian Matsu," a counterpart deity from Houlong Township in Miaoli, was also placed on the palanquin at 11:50pm 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 to 37 hours.
Matsu is scheduled to arrive in Beigang at 11am tomorrow, ahead of the holy fire ceremony at Chaotian Temple at 12:40am on Sunday.
In previous years, the return leg of the pilgrimage has been completed in similarly short time frames.
Last year, devotees returned from Yunlin to Miaoli in just 34 hours.
The Ministry of the Interior describes the Baishatun Matsu 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.
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