Mengjia Qingshan Temple Introduction
General Zhang Gun, who served under Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms period, achieved great success in governing Huian, Quanzhou. After his death, the local people built the Qingshan Temple in his honor, where he is revered as King Qingshan or Ling'an Zunwang. King Qingshan is traditionally believed to have the power to dispel epidemics and to oversee justice, rewarding good and punishing evil. The deities honored alongside him include the Eight Lords, General Jia, and General Suo. The Mengjia Qingshan Temple has a history of over a hundred years and features a three-part wooden and stone structure that has undergone multiple renovations, making it quite exquisite. Notably, the octagonal caisson ceiling is particularly impressive, and the materials used in the renovations have significant stories behind them, such as the stone pillars and stone stacks from the ruins of Yuanshan Shrine. Additionally, the statue of King Qingshan has piercing eyes, and its expression changes from different angles, allowing visitors to experience its distinct aura. Every year on the 23rd day of the tenth lunar month, the birthday of King Qingshan is celebrated. According to legend, two days prior, King Qingshan leads his subordinates to patrol the streets of the Mengjia area to bless the local people with safety. On the 22nd, a lively nighttime procession featuring the king's palanquin takes place, filled with various performances such as Ba Jia Jiang (a type of traditional warrior), drum performances, and musical bands. Households along the streets set up incense altars and offerings, marking what is known as the "Mengjia Great Worship," which is one of the three major temple fairs in Taipei, alongside the Xiahai City God Temple in Dadaocheng and the Bosheng Dadi temple procession.
