Cihfeng Temple (Mazu Temple) Introduction
During the Yongli period of the Ming Dynasty, a monk who was dedicated to the worship of Mazu crossed the sea from Fujian to Ahou (present-day Pingtung City). Initially, the Mazu statue was respectfully placed in a government office for worship. However, it was puzzling that every night at midnight, a flickering red light would appear. At first, people could not understand the significance of the red light, but eventually, they realized it was a manifestation of Mazu's divine spirit. Thus, they decided to build a temple to honor her. This was the origin of the construction of Cifeng Temple in 1737 (the 2nd year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty) and is a long-treasured miracle story among the believers. Over the past two hundred years since the establishment of Cifeng Temple, it suffered the worst fire in 1983 due to a short circuit, which almost completely burned down the front and back halls. However, believers felt reassured and astonished that the deities enshrined in the temple were unscathed. Following this disaster, a massive 15-year reconstruction project began, resulting in the current appearance of Cifeng Temple. On the roof above the "Cifeng Temple" plaque, one can immediately see the magnificent decorative art of cut and paste, featuring vibrant figures from Truku pottery and various dragon and beast motifs. The coffered ceiling above the main hall is created by layers of gold-painted dougong brackets, which not only shine brilliantly but also exude extraordinary grandeur. The temple also houses many historical relics over a hundred years old, such as finely carved stone drums and coiled dragon stone columns in the main hall, along with plaques and stone tablets documenting historical events from the Qing Dynasty. Since its reconstruction, Cifeng Temple not only showcases a stunning temple courtyard but also employs creative thinking to host many cultural activities, allowing people to rediscover the essence of traditional religion. Events like the Ahou Mazu Cultural Festival, ceremonial processions, and Bajiajiang official head competitions not only promote the religious values but also foster a deeper cultural significance.
