The annual Baishatun Matsu pilgrimage, one of Taiwan's most prominent religious events, set off early today from Miaoli County, with a record 460,000 devotees starting the eight-day procession to Yunlin County.
Crowds began gathering in Baishatun (白沙屯) in Tongsiao Township (通霄) as early as yesterday morning, filling Gongtian Temple (拱天宮) and the surrounding streets.
Photo: CNA
After the traditional "three steps forward, three steps backward" ritual performed by bearers of the palanquin carrying the Matsu statues, the procession set off shortly after midnight on the first leg of the 400km journey, with the pilgrims — many wearing signature orange caps — chanting "Matsu, we love you.
As is customary, residents and businesses are expected to set up incense tables and light firecrackers along the route to welcome the procession.
For the first time, the three Matsu statues — the main Baishatun Matsu, the rotating host Matsu and the Shanbian Matsu — are being carried on the iconic "Pink Supercar" palanquin.
The pilgrimage has also drawn political figures, including President William Lai (賴清德), who attended a palanquin purification ritual yesterday evening and helped escort the Matsu statues from their altars.
He also offered prayers for the participants' safety and for peace and prosperity in Taiwan.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) and Miaoli County Commissioner Chung Tung-chin (鍾東錦) also attended the ceremony marking the start of the annual pilgrimage.
"Today there is no politics, only religion," he said, adding that the pilgrimage helps strengthen bonds among communities along the route.
The procession, which had drawn a record 460,000 participants as of today, is expected to arrive on Thursday at Beigang Chaotian Temple (北港朝天宮), where a "fire-receiving" ritual is to be carried out just after midnight on Friday, temple officials said.
The pilgrims are to set off to return to Gongtian Temple on Monday next week, after which an incense-burning ritual is to be performed on May 1, the officials said.
The Baishatun pilgrimage is known for having no fixed route, with directions and stops believed to be guided by the deity's will through the movements of the palanquin.
Designated a Miaoli County intangible cultural asset in 2008 and later recognized as a nationally significant folk custom in 2010, the Matsu pilgrimage has become one of Taiwan's most prominent religious traditions.
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