[Central News Agency] 2023 Miaoli County Tongxiao Township Baishatun Gongtian Temple Mazu went on foot to Yunlin Beigang Chaotian Temple to pray. This morning, tens of thousands of believers gathered around the "pink supercar" to embark on a 9-day and 8-night religious journey. The crowd followed the Mazu Luan sedan, which was unprecedentedly grand.

The Baishatun Matsu pilgrimage has been increasing with the number of believers in recent years. This year, the number of applicants has exceeded 113,000, a new record high. Since the departure time of the drive coincides with the weekend, since the afternoon of the 11th, pilgrims and believers from all over the country have successively They flooded into the Baishatun area, and by the early morning of the 12th, the surrounding area of ​​Gongtian Palace was already crowded with crowds, crowding the inside and outside of the palace and temple.

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Every year, during the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage event, Mazu in the neighboring Houlong Town will also ride in a miraculous sedan chair. President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Qingde respectively went to Gongtian Palace and Shanbian Mazu Palace to offer incense and pray for blessings in the afternoon and evening of the 11th. Send off Mazu, and pray that Mazu will bless Taiwan's country and people, and the weather will be smooth, say goodbye to the epidemic as soon as possible, and return to normal life; Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ke Wenzhe signed up for this 9-day and 8-night pilgrimage trip for the first time.

Gongtian Palace held a sedan chair boarding ceremony at 0:45 in the morning. Interior Minister Lin Youchang, former Interior Minister Xu Guoyong, Miaoli County Mayor Zhong Dongjin, Yunlin County Mayor Zhang Lishan, Chaotian Palace Chairman Cai (Kouyong) (De) and Gong Hong Wenhua, the chairman of the Tiangong Temple, and the furnace master on duty paid salutes in a group, and relayed support to Mazu's holy driver, and completed the sedan chair amidst the sound of everyone shouting "Come in! Come in", setting off the first climax of this year's pilgrimage.

At 1:25 in the morning, Mazu's sedan chair, known as the "pink supercar", set off amidst the sound of gongs. Tens of thousands of believers flocked to follow. Enthusiastic believers set off fireworks, firecrackers, and colored paper fireworks to send Mazu off from time to time along the way. , there are also many groups kneeling and shouting "Mazu, I love you" with high emotions. The annual religious event makes Miaoli Tongxiao Baishatun area like a city that never sleeps.

The Gu family from New Taipei City has participated in pilgrimage activities almost every year since the 100th year of the Republic of China. This year, because there are elderly people in their 80s and children with disabilities accompanying them, and considering the weather forecast that there may be cold snaps during the pilgrimage, they specially brought a tent. , so that you can shelter from the wind and keep warm during the rest time, masks and alcohol are indispensable.

Hong Wenhua, chairman of Gongtian Palace, said that although the government's epidemic prevention regulations are gradually relaxed, he still calls on the accompanying incense lamp footwear to wear masks as much as possible and keep an appropriate distance; in addition, this year is the departure of the first month of the lunar calendar after more than 10 years of absence from Baishatun Mazu. The weather is relatively cold, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. During the pilgrimage, you must pay attention to your physical condition and do what you can.

The walking pilgrimage activity of Mazu in Baishatun has a history of about 200 years, and the round trip is nearly 400 kilometers. Every year on December 15th of the lunar calendar, Gongtian Temple asks Mazu for the next year's pilgrimage schedule by throwing a stick. However, the route is not fixed, and it all depends on Mazu leading the sedan chair. Walking has become the biggest feature. In 1997, it was registered as an intangible cultural asset of folk customs in Miaoli County. In 1999, it was designated as an important national folk custom.

Gongtian Palace pointed out that this year's pilgrimage journey will start in the early morning of this year and drive south. It is expected to arrive at Beigang on the 17th, return north after the fire ceremony at 11:40 in the middle of the night, and return to the palace at 4:00 pm on the 20th.

(Editor: Shi Shi) 1120212