Cihhe Temple Introduction
Cihe Temple is located in Yuanshan Village of this township, with Ma Zu as the main deity. Formerly known as Mazu outside the city, it, along with Shuntian Temple, constitutes the two major centers of faith in Yuanli. Due to transportation infrastructure and urban development, Cihe Temple has surpassed Shuntian Temple in both architectural scale and number of devotees, making it the largest religious center in Yuanli. Established in the 53rd year of the Kangxi reign, Cihe Temple was originally located north of the current Xialu Market and was relocated to its present site in the 37th year of the Qianlong reign (1773) by Huang Zairong, Huang Yinglu, Chen Zhicheng, and others. Cihe Temple mainly worships Ma Zu, alongside a number of other deities including the Goddess of Birth, San Shan Guo Wang, City God, Guan Sheng Di Jun, Jade Emperor, Xuan Tian Shang Di, San Guan Da Di, Wen Chang Di Jun, Changsheng Da Di, Zi Wei Da Di, and Tai Sui Xing Jun. Cihe Temple currently houses many ancient artifacts, including the "Penglai Cihe Temple Stele," as well as the original statue of Ma Zu, the altar, Qianliyan (thousand-mile eye), and Shunfeng'er (jack of speed). There are also ancient stone incense burners from the 36th year of the Qianlong reign, a wooden ancient altar, as well as the ancient plaque "Hai Guo Biao Ling" established in the 38th year of the Qianlong reign, and an imperial plaque "Yu Tian Tong Gong" bestowed in the 10th year of the Guangxu reign for the temple's meritorious deeds in rescuing the Celestial Mother.
