Gyeongbokgung Palace Introduction
In the 16th year of the Jiaqing era (1811), Taoziyuan was severely affected by infectious diseases, prompting the locals to donate money to build a temple. It took two years to complete, and it was named Jingfu Temple. The original plan included three halls: front, middle, and rear. The grand inauguration ceremony invited officials and received three plaques bearing the inscriptions "He Sheng Zhuo Ling," "De Bian Qun Li," and "Ming He Gan Ying" (which are still displayed in the temple today), indicating that the construction of this temple was a significant event for the community. Jingfu Temple primarily enshrines the Kaizhang Sheng Wang, with the Xuantan Yuan Shuai as the accompanying deity. The statues are housed in the main hall, and later on, in response to the needs of various worshippers, additional Buddhist deities, Taoist deities, industry patron saints, Quanzhou deities, fertility deities, and Mazu were added, reflecting a high degree of faith integration. Every year from the 17th day of the first lunar month, rituals are held at Daxi Renhe Temple and Nankan Wufukong to honor the Kaizhang Sheng Wang and Xuantan Yuan Shuai, which is one of the major rituals of Jingfu Temple. The lively procession attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims. The 15th day of the second lunar month marks the birthday of the Kaizhang Sheng Wang, featuring a series of celebrations and performances lasting for several days, creating a grand spectacle. With a history of over a century, Jingfu Temple's architectural details possess considerable artistic value. Its rare "fake four-hanging" roof in the Xie Shan style enhances the temple's magnificent appearance. The dense and varied forms of the Chi Hu Gong are the most numerous in Taiwan, showcasing the beauty of bracket sets. The various wooden and stone carvings and paintings inside the temple are crafted by master artisans, rivaling the exquisite quality of century-old churches abroad. This "great temple," as referred to by local residents, is not only a center of local faith but has historically been an important hub for urban development. Early roads like Zhongzheng Road and Minsheng Road developed outwards from Jingfu Temple, forming a commercial district. Witnessing the century-long prosperity of Taoyuan, Jingfu Temple has now transformed into a primary medium for people to understand the historical trajectory of this land.
