Zhongli Renhai Temple Introduction
The Zhongli Renhai Temple, which won fourth place in the Ministry of the Interior's "Top Religious Sites in Taiwan," was established in the sixth year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1826) and is dedicated to Mazu. With nearly 200 years of history, it was collectively built by 13 villages from Zhongli, Pingzhen, and Yangmei. Initially, it only honored Guanyin Bodhisattva; later, Mazu was added to the worship. The temple has undergone five major renovations and is the oldest temple in Zhongli, located on Xinjie Street, hence the nickname "Xinjie Temple." It has always been a bustling center of worship and is an important faith center for the residents of Zhongli, often referred to as "Zhongli Mazu." During the Japanese colonial period, Renhai Temple was the only temple in the Zhongli area to escape demolition during the Japanese assimilation movement. The nearby Sacred Pavilion, due to its reconstruction during the Showa era, retains the popular pebble wash and Baroque decorative art styles of the time, reflecting a blend of cultural architectural styles. The architectural layout and style of Renhai Temple follow traditional Southern Chinese architecture, featuring a front hall, main hall, and rear hall, representing a three-hall structure. The mountain gate stands independently in front of the temple, with four pillars and three entrances, creating a grand atmosphere. In 2019 (the 108th year of the Republic of China), the temple underwent renovations and added a new hall for the century-old Mazu statue, which stands 109 centimeters tall and weighs 53 kilograms, adorned in official robes, making it particularly significant, comparable to the statue of Mazu in Dajia and the coral Mazu in Yilan. Today, Renhai Temple is revitalized with sculptured beams, painted roofs, and red pavilions, showcasing its century-old grandeur. Currently, Zhongli Renhai Temple frequently hosts various celebrations and folk activities, including Mazu's birthday on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, the Ghost Festival ("Zhongyuan Pudu"), and the Water Lantern Festival, as well as Mazu's Returning Pilgrimage and Procession in the 11th lunar month, attracting many devotees to participate in these important festivities. (Source: Renhai Temple)
