All 12 Matsu temples in Changhua are going to sponsor one of the major folk activities “Matsu of Changhua patrol around the territory to bless the people ceremony 2015” collaboratively. Dianan Temple at Beidou held the “throwing the divinity blocks ceremony” on January 30 to choose a suitable date for sponsoring the rite. In the ceremony, Chen Zai, the Chair of the Committee Board of Dianan Temple and the host of the incense furnace of 2015, tossed the divinity blocks, acting for the 12 Matsu temples. Supervised by Chou Chih-chung, Deputy Magistrate of Changhua County acting on behalf of Magistrate Wei Ming-ku, Chen Zai tossed the divinity blocks and requested for Matsu’s divine answer. As a result, the goddess replied that October 4 (Sunday) (the 22nd day of the 8th lunar month) would be the best date for the commencement of “Matsu of Changhua patrol around the territory to bless the people ceremony 2015”. The worshippers should meet on September 29, in front of Dianan Temple five days in advance, and install the heavenly platform at night on September 30. In addition, the rite of gratitude should be held on the heavenly platform on October 3.
Deputy Magistrate Chou expressed that according to Matsu’s divine answer conveyed through the tossing of the divination blocks, the “Matsu of Changhua patrol around the territory to bless the people ceremony” this year should be held on October 4, 2015 (the 22nd day of the 8th lunar month). He would like to invite all the people and visitors to participate in it. Sponsoring this ritual, he hoped the goddess could bring peace, health, and well-being to the people in Changhua. At last, he expected the rite to be a successful one.
This year, 2015, “Matsu of Changhua patrols around the territory to bless the people ceremony” is approaching its eighth anniversary. According to the decision of the Matsu Patrol Around the Territory Committee, Dianan Temple will be the host—the chair worshipper this year. According to local customs, it should invite Changhua County Government and the esquires in Beidou, and 11 other temples, including, Hexing Temple of Beitou, Renhe Temple of Erlin, Putian Temple of Fangyuan, Fuhai Temple of Wanggong, Taiwan Husheng Temple of Lukang, Fuan Temple of Shengang, Nanyao Temple of Changhua, Baozang Temple of Fenyuan, Funing Temple of Yuanlin, Qiaotou Tianmen Temple of Shetou, and Qiande Temple of Tianzhong to ask Matsu for an appropriate date for holding this ceremony. With the proceeding of this ritual, they hope Matsu can bring us mild weather and sufficient rainfall; peace and well-being; prosperity without disasters; happiness in different seasons and happiness to all Changhua people.
Matsu of Changhua patrol around the territory to bless the people ceremony 2015: September 29, 2015 – October 10, 2015
Gathering of the 12 Matsu Statues: September 29, 2015
Installation of the Heavenly Platform: September 30, 2015
Commencement Party: October 3, 2015
Matsu Patrol: October 4, 2015 – October 9, 2015
Matsu Return: October 10, 2015
Source: Changhua County Government Websites
Contact: Mr. Wang, Arts Promotion Section, Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Changhua County Government. Tel: 886-4-7250057 ext. 1861