Cihou Temple Introduction
Cihe Temple is located in the Yuanshan area of the town, with Matzu as its main deity. It was formerly known as Mazu of the Outer City and, along with Shuntian Temple, serves as one of the two major centers of faith in Yuanshan. Due to transportation development and urban growth, Cihe Temple has surpassed Shuntian Temple in both architectural scale and number of worshippers, becoming the largest center of faith in Yuanshan. Established in the 53rd year of the Kangxi era, Cihe Temple was initially built north of today's Xialu Market and was moved to its current location in the 37th year of the Qianlong era (1773) by Huang Zairong, Huang Yinglu, and Chen Zhicheng. The temple primarily enshrines Mazu, with additional deities including the Goddess of Birth, San-Shan National King, City God, Guan Sheng Emperor, Jade Emperor, Xuan Tian Emperor, San Guan Emperor, Wenchang Dijun, Changsheng Dadi, Ziwei Emperor, and the Planetary Deity. Cihe Temple houses many ancient artifacts, including the "Pengshan Cihe Temple Monument." The statue of Mazu, the altar, the Thousand-Mile Eye, and the Wind-Listening Ear are all original features, alongside a stone-carved ancient incense burner and wooden ancient altar from the 36th year of the Qianlong era, and a plaque established in the 38th year of the Qianlong era, "Haiguo Biaoling." In the 10th year of the Guangxu era, the temple received an imperial plaque, "With Heaven Share Virtue," for its contribution in aiding the Heavenly Mother of Cihe Temple.
