Mengjia Qingshan Temple Introduction
General Zhang Gun, a military leader under Sun Quan of the Three Kingdoms, successfully governed Quanzhou Hui'an. After his death, the local community established Qingshan Temple in his honor, where he is revered as King Qingshan or Ling'an Zunwang. King Qingshan is traditionally believed to possess the power to eliminate plagues, preside over justice, and judge good and evil. He is worshipped alongside deities such as Ba Si, General Jia, and General Suo. Mengjia Qingshan Temple has a history of over a hundred years and is a mixed wood and stone temple comprising three courtyards. It has undergone several renovations, showcasing exquisite features such as the octagonal coffered ceiling, which is quite impressive. The materials used in the renovations hold significance, such as the stone pillars and stone walls of the front hall, which were sourced from the remains of Yuanshan Shrine. Furthermore, the statue of King Qingshan has sharp eyes that seem to convey different feelings depending on the angle from which it is viewed, allowing visitors to experience this firsthand. The birthday of King Qingshan falls on the 23rd day of the 10th month in the lunar calendar. It is said that two days prior, King Qingshan leads his generals to patrol the streets of the Mengjia area to bless the people with safety. On the 22nd, a lively nighttime parade featuring the palanquin of the deity takes place, accompanied by various performances such as folk drumming and bands. Families set up altars and offerings along the streets, in what is known as the "Mengjia Grand Worship," which is considered one of the three major temple fairs in Taipei City, along with the Xiahai City God Temple in Dadaocheng and the Baosheng Dadi parade.
