Detailed Introduction
The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage is Taiwan's largest religious event, departing from Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung to Xingang Fengtian Temple in Chiayi — a 340km round trip over 9 days and 8 nights, passing through over 100 temples.
Millions of devotees follow the palanquin on foot. Locals set up roadside stations offering free food and drinks, embodying Taiwan's famous hospitality. The tradition of 'crawling under the palanquin' (zuan jiao jiao) is especially popular, as believers kneel to receive blessings as Mazu passes overhead.
In 2004, Discovery Channel ranked it among the world's three greatest religious events, alongside Vatican Christmas Mass and the Hajj pilgrimage. It was designated a National Important Folk Custom in 2008.