Mengjia Qingshan Temple Introduction
Zhang Gun, a general under Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms period, successfully governed Quanzhou's Huian. After his death, the locals built Qingshan Temple to worship him, and he was honored as King Qingshan or Ling'an Zunwang. King Qingshan is traditionally believed to have the power to dispel plagues and to oversee justice and rewards for good and evil, with accompanying deities such as the Eight Lords, General Jia, and General Suo. Mengjia Qingshan Temple has a history of over a hundred years and is a mixed-structure temple of wood and stone with three courtyards. It has undergone numerous renovations, resulting in a beautifully crafted structure, notable for its octagonal coffered ceiling. The materials used for the renovations have significant historical meaning, such as the stone columns and stone piles in the front hall, which were sourced from the stones of Yuanshan Shrine. Additionally, King Qingshan's statue has sharp eyes, and it feels different when viewed from various angles, allowing visitors to experience this firsthand. The birthday of King Qingshan falls on the 23rd day of the tenth lunar month, and according to legend, in the two days leading up to this date, King Qingshan leads his generals to patrol the alleys and streets of Mengjia, ensuring the safety of its people. On the 22nd, a lively nighttime procession of the king's palanquin is held, filled with various performances such as the Eight Generals, drum formations, and bands. Households set up incense tables and offerings along the roads, leading to what is known as the "Mengjia Grand Worship," which is recognized as one of the three major temple fairs in Taipei, alongside the Xiahai City God Temple in Dadaocheng and the Baosheng Dadi procession.
