Pilgrimage to Jenn Lann Temple: Scuffles and Delays Mar Dajia Mazu Return

Annual Taiwanese Religious Event Overshoots Schedule Amidst Crowds and Conflicts

Taipei, April 14 - The annual Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, a significant cultural event in Taiwan, concluded early Monday morning, with the statues of the sea goddess finally returned to the Jenn Lann Temple in Dajia Township around 1 a.m., over two hours behind the initially scheduled time.

The delay, a result of large crowds and minor clashes, disrupted the smooth flow of the procession as the Mazu statues made their way back to their pedestals. The statues were originally slated to arrive at the Jenn Lann Temple at 11 p.m. on Sunday.

The palanquin carrying the Mazu statues reached the Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung at 1:10 a.m. Monday. A subsequent enshrinement ceremony was held, attended by key figures, including temple Chairman Yen Ching-piao (顏清標) and Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin (鄭照新).

Incidents were reported on Sunday night. In two separate locations, pushing and shoving occurred within the densely packed crowds. Several such events were captured on social media.

According to the Dajia police, at approximately 10:43 p.m. Sunday, at the intersection of Sanmin and Dexing roads, worshippers initiated a push to participate in carrying the sedan chair, believing it would bring good fortune.

This resulted in scuffles between pilgrims and the temple's security team, according to police reports.

Five individuals were apprehended and taken to a local police station for interrogation at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, police officials confirmed.

Another incident occurred on Wenwu Road at approximately 9:48 p.m. Sunday, according to police.

Earlier, on Saturday at 9:50 p.m., a man suspected of being intoxicated got into a conflict with another pilgrim, as they jostled to hold the umbrella shielding one of the Mazu statues in Taichung's Shalu District, according to Qingshui police reports issued Monday.

Both men, aged 32, were required to report to a local police station for questioning and potentially face a fine of up to NT$18,000 (US$554), based on the Social Order Maintenance Act, as stated by the police.

The nine-day pilgrimage, which covered a distance of 340 kilometers through Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi and back, began at 10:45 p.m. on April 4 from the Jenn Lann Temple in Dajia Township, led by the Mazu palanquin.