Beiguan Temple Introduction
The North Xuan Palace is dedicated to the main deity, Emperor Bei Qi Xuan Tian, who is often referred to as the "Orchid Ancestor." During the celebrations of his birthday, orchid festivals have been held for 16 years, even longer than the Taiwan International Orchid Show in Tainan, with various orchids competing for rankings determined by the throwing of divination blocks, adding uniqueness to the temple. North Xuan Palace and Ci Xuan Palace, located less than 1 kilometer apart, share a common origin. However, over 60 years ago, a serious conflict arose between the two tribes, the Upper Fan and Lower Fan, regarding the distribution of offerings after a festival, leading to a split and over sixty years of non-interaction. On the eve of the birthday celebration of Ma Zu in 2012, "Mother Ma Zu" appeared in a dream to the chairman of the Ai Lan Association in Pingtung County, Gong Tai Wen, instructing him to hold a grand orchid exhibition on her birthday to welcome the "Ci Xuan Palace" from the neighboring village of Qiaoxing, thus resolving their animosity. That year was also unprecedented as two orchid exhibitions were held.
