Miaoli: This year's Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, widely recognized as Taiwan's longest religious procession on foot, will begin on April 12, Gongtian Temple in Miaoli County announced Monday. A ritual tossing of divination blocks, known as jiaobei, was held at the temple in Baishatun, Tongxiao Township, to determine the dates of key activities for the pilgrimage honoring the sea goddess Mazu.

According to Focus Taiwan, the results revealed that a palanquin carrying the sea goddess will depart Gongtian Temple on April 12 at 11:55 p.m. and is expected to arrive at Beigang Chaotian Temple in Yunlin County on April 16. The "Divine Spirit Renewal" ceremony will commence at the Yunlin temple at 12:10 a.m. on April 17, featuring a fire that worshipers will take back to the Miaoli temple.

The pilgrimage is scheduled to return to Gongtian Temple on April 20, with the lighting of an incense burner marking the end of the annual event on May 1. The management of Gongtian Temple noted that this year's pilgrimage will last eight days to and from Beigang, with registration open from March 11 to April 9.

Last year's pilgrimage lasted a total of 10 days, attracting nearly 330,000 participants and setting a new record. The nearly 200-year-old pilgrimage from Miaoli to Beigang Chaotian Temple is noted for its lack of a fixed route or time frame and was designated a national intangible cultural asset in 2010 due to its historical and cultural significance.

Hung Wen-hua, head of Gongtian Temple's management commission, mentioned that three Mazu statues will be part of this year's pilgrimage, compared to just one or two in previous years.

Source: Focus Taiwan