Kaohsiung Hamasen Daitian Temple Introduction
"Hamasen" is the former name of the area at the southern end of Gushan District, Kaohsiung City. Originally a sea area, during the Japanese colonial period, the authorities used soil and rock dredged from the harbor to reclaim land, forming new land. This new land has two coastal railways leading to the commercial port, fishing port, and fish market, referred to in Japanese as "Hamasen." The local residents call it "Ha-ma-sing" in Taiwanese. Hamasen is located at the starting point of Kaohsiung Port's modernization and is the terminal for the railway. It was once the origin of Kaohsiung's political and economic center and was flourishing in its time. The Daitian Temple was built in 1951, dedicated to the Five Gods who are from the Wufeng Qiansui Temple in Nankunshen, along with other deities such as the Earth God and Guanyin. A magnificent archway stands in front of the temple, and the temple's architecture features the South China-style temple design, solemn and splendid. The roof, designed in the double-eaved style, is adorned with exquisite decorations including figures on beasts, pavilions, flowers, and birds, showcasing intricate craftsmanship. The colorful paintings and carvings inside the temple tell traditional folk stories such as the meeting in the Yaochi, the Eighteen Arhats, and the Assembly of Ten Thousand Immortals, with various lifelike clay figures. The door gods and statues in the San Chuan Hall are crafted by the renowned artist Pan Lishui, and the dignified and opulent statues are rare artistic treasures. The Daitian Temple serves as the faith center and gathering place for the residents of Hamasen, with a wide variety of local snacks in the square attracting many worshippers, making it a representative folk attraction reflecting the local culture of Kaohsiung.
