Baisha Keng Wende Temple Introduction
Built during the Qing Dynasty in the Qianlong period, it was originally named "Bao'an Temple." During the Daoguang period, due to the local Hanlin (a scholar) Zeng Weizhen, the temple was renamed "Wendegong," signifying "to protect the land and ensure the people's safety while promoting cultural values and moral education." The emperor conferred a title upon the local Earth God of Zeng's hometown, granting him the same status as a Hanlin, along with a specially crafted官 hat, making it the only Earth God in Taiwan with an imperial title. Wendegong adheres to a traditional flower lantern welcoming ceremony that has been practiced for over a century, and it was registered as "Intangible Cultural Heritage" in 2008. After four relocations and reconstructions, the temple has grown larger and has increasingly become a center of devotion. Flanking it are ceremonial gates and righteous pathways, and later, the "Wuying Building" was built to honor the divine generals and display historical artifacts, adding to its historical significance.
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