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Chaotien Temple
Being the wealthiest temple in Taiwan, the Chaotien is visited by more than 3 million pilgrims each year, leaving large sums of donation. A festival to commemorate the patron deity's birthday happens during April or May, with shows of ancient folk religion and traditional customs. It is most zestful to come to the temple during the festival period. However, throughout the year, noises of firecrackers bursting, and beatings of gongs and drums often make it a "happening" place in town. Ancient religious rites are performed in the temples, a particular one being the colorful ritual of parading a holy icon in a gilded, silk-tasseled palanquin.
At the temple courtyard is a three-tiered pagoda for pilgrims to burn paper offerings. These paper offerings can be bought from vendors outside the temple. The uniqueness of the temple lies in the many tall image cones bearing names of the temple's financial patrons, which are lit like Christmas trees, and standing in pairs at the altars. Chaotien Temple has 12 cones, which goes to show the generosity of its patrons. Visitors can take a walk outside the narrow lanes around the temple and purchase unusual ornaments sold at the open-air market.
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Northwest
of Chiayi is the town of Peikang where the famous Chaotien Temple is located.
A mere 23km drive on Highway 159 will bring you to this temple that is
dedicated to Matsu, goddess of the sea. There are myriad of Matsu temples
all around the island but the Chaotien Temple is probably the most lavish
of Taiwan's 385 Matsu temples.
The
temple is guarded by four astute stone lions and four immortals mounted
on dragons at the front gate. The roof of the temple displays colorful
eaves and gables on the island. Miniature figures, mountains, palaces,
pagodas, and trees sit atop the roof, depicting tale after tale from folklore.
On top of the roof are the Three Star Gods of Longevity, Prosperity, and
Posterity, which are the three main philosophies of the Chinese. The pagoda
in the shrine hall represents the synergy of heaven and earth.