Taichung City God Temple Introduction
Cheng Huang Temple is the center of faith for the public. It enshrines the deities Cheng Huang, Guan Yu, Zhen Wu (the Goddess of Birth), the Queen of Cheng Huang, the Celestial Mother, the Earth God, the God of Literature, the Civil Judge, the Military Judge, General Xie, General Fan, the Ox God, the Horse God, and the Yinyang God. The original temple was built by Huang Chengyi, the magistrate of Taichung during the Qing Dynasty, in the year 1884 (the tenth year of the Guangxu era) in the district of Leyeh, East Taichung, which is now the site of the Taichung Sugar Factory. After the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan fell into decline, and the original temple site was converted into a sugar factory by the Japanese, leading to the relocation of the tablet of the deity. In the tenth year of the Republic of China, local gentry such as Lin Ziqin, Wu Ziyu, Lin Yandun, Lin Zufen, Lai Qingyan, and Lin Chengpo initiated the reconstruction of the new temple at No. 50, Lane 94, Hezuo Street, Southern District, Taichung City. The Cheng Huang enshrined in the Taichung Cheng Huang Temple is the local official overseeing the area that now constitutes Taichung City. Due to the strong and sincere beliefs of the public, the temple continues to thrive, with a significant influx of worshippers. The 15th day of the 6th lunar month is the festival day for Cheng Huang, a major religious event locally, where the temple holds a grand birthday celebration for the deity. Starting from the beginning of the 6th lunar month, large numbers of devotees come from various places, and in addition to the festival, there are parades and traditional performances. The stage in front of the temple is lively with performances to honor the gods, creating a bustling atmosphere.
