Jinshan Cihou Temple Introduction
Cihou Temple, located on Jinshan Xi Street, has a history of two hundred years and is the largest temple in Jinshan. It primarily worships Mazu, also known as the Goddess of the Sea, and serves as the local faith center, referred to by the locals as the "Great Temple." The intricate artistic expressions, from the foundation to the roof and the body of the building, are worth admiring. The main hall features octagonal dragon pillars, which are exquisite craftsmanship from the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty and are quite rare. The Mazu at Cihou Temple is divided into "Big Mazu" and "Second Mazu." The Second Mazu once drifted at sea and was discovered at Yehliu Beach. Since the statue is only eight inches tall, the devotees raised funds to carve a larger Mazu statue to match the size of the Big Mazu, leading to the origin of the "Mazu among Mazu." Later, on the sixteenth day of the fourth lunar month, the Second Mazu makes her pilgrimage from Jinshan to Yehliu to visit her "home," becoming a unique celebratory event among Jinshan, Shimen, and Wanli.
