Tainan City Mazu's home, the Grand Mazu Temple

Address: No. 18, Lane 227, Section 2, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan City

Atmosphere/Facilities:

The Grand Tianhou Temple, a national shrine, was originally the official residence of the Ningjing King of the Southern Ming Dynasty, and was later changed to the Dongning Tianfei Temple. In 1720, Emperor Kangxi personally agreed to name it the Great Tianhou Temple. He also required all civil and military officials stationed in Taiwan to hold sacrifices in spring and autumn to reassure the people.
The location of Tianhou Temple is right in front of Chihkan Tower and next to the Wu Temple. The traditional temple entrance in ancient times was the most prosperous place in the area. In today's terms, it is the yolk district of Tainan City.
This place was once close to the sea, but now it is a long distance away from the coast.
If you look closely at the architecture of Tianhou Temple, you can easily find traces of the former Ningjing Palace. The entire temple adopts the three-entry style of southern Fujian architecture, with each entrance higher than the last. The innermost position should be the throne of King Ningjing in the past, and it is also the location of the statue of Mazu today.
There are patios between each entrance, which provide convenient lighting and ventilation, and show the owner's dignity and grandeur. Nowadays, temples display incense burners, which also has the meaning of reaching the ears of heaven.
According to scholars' research, the belief in Mazu in Taiwan began in the Qing Dynasty. There was a saying in the Qing Dynasty: "One is Tainan, two is Lu, and three is Monga", which means that the earliest developed place in Taiwan was Tainan City. The Grand Matsu Temple in Tainan apparently once played a very important role in folk beliefs. Unfortunately, hundreds of years later, people only know Beigang Mazu and Baishatun Mazu, but often ignore Fucheng Mazu. The world is changing, people and things are changing, even gods are changing with it.
Features: A first-class historical site, enshrining Mazu, with Clairvoyance and Superb Ears on both sides. The building is antique and if you look closely you will find that many of the plaques hanging inside were bestowed by the emperor. This may be the temple with the most imperially bestowed plaques.
Price per person: Free admission, incense and candles can be purchased for NT$100.

Rating: 9.9
#Tainan #SidianDatianhou Temple #First-class Historic Site #Temple with a Story

Post by 楚峰 | Aug 9, 2023