Mazu Temple (Cifong Temple) Introduction
During the Yongli era of the Ming Dynasty, a monk who served the incense of Mazu crossed the sea from Fujian to Ahou (present-day Pingtung City). Initially, he reverently placed the Mazu statue in a government office for worship. However, it was perplexing that every night a flickering red light would appear. At first, the locals could not understand the significance of the red light, but after some time, they finally realized that it was a manifestation of Mazu's spirit. Thus, they collectively decided to build a temple to honor her. This is the distant cause of the establishment of Cifeng Temple in 1737 (the 2nd year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty) and is a miracle story passed down among the believers for a long time. Over the past two hundred years since the founding of Cifeng Temple, the most severe fire occurred in the 72nd year of the Republic of China, caused by an electrical short circuit, which nearly destroyed the front and rear halls. However, the believers found solace and were amazed that the deities enshrined in the temple were unharmed. After encountering this disaster, a massive reconstruction project lasting fifteen years was initiated, leading to the current appearance of Cifeng Temple. Above the plaque hanging with "Cifeng Temple," one can see the luxurious and ornate jianzhai art adorning the roof, featuring vivid figures in Chaozhou pottery and various dragon and beast designs; the ceiling above the main hall is made of golden-painted dougong stacked in layers, not only shining magnificently but also appearing exceptionally grand. Additionally, there are many historical relics in the temple that are over a hundred years old, such as the delicately carved stone drum and the coiling dragon stone pillars in the main hall, as well as plaques and stone tablets recording historical events from the Qing Dynasty. After the reconstruction, Cifeng Temple not only showcases a splendid temple courtyard but also employs creative thinking to host various cultural activities, allowing people to re-recognize the appearance of traditional religion, such as the Ahou Mazu Cultural Festival, the incense-carrying procession, and the Ba Jia Jiang officer head competition. These events not only promote the value of religion but also forge a deeper cultural connotation.
