Detailed Introduction
Wangye (Royal Lord) worship is extremely popular in southern Taiwan. The most famous event is the 'Welcoming King Festival' (Donggang Yingwang) held every three years at Donggang Donglong Temple in Pingtung. It welcomes the Royal Lords who patrol on behalf of Heaven. Nankunshen Daitian Temple in Tainan is also a major center, known as the 'General Temple of Wangye'. The festival concludes with the burning of a King Boat to send the Royal Lords back to Heaven.
The Burning of the King Boat is the grand finale of the Welcoming King Festival, with the ceremony at Donggang Donglong Temple being the most spectacular. Devotees build a magnificent boat filled with supplies (food, furniture). At the end of the ceremony, accompanied by palanquins and crowds, the boat is set ablaze at the beach, symbolizing that the Royal Lords have taken away plagues and evil spirits.