Mengjia Qizhang Temple Introduction
Mengjia Kuan Yin Temple, commonly known as Mengjia Dizangwang Temple, is dedicated to the Earth Treasury Bodhisattva and is designated as a national historic site in Taiwan. The temple is located on Xichang Street in the Wanhua District of Taipei City, built in the 25th year of the Qianlong reign (1760 AD), and underwent reconstruction in the 18th year of the Daoguang reign (1838 AD). Originally a private property, during the Japanese colonial period, in order to avoid the situation of being claimed by the government, the management rights were transferred to Longshan Temple. Dizangwang Temple faces east and maintains the architectural style of mid-Qing single-hall temples. The building structure is simple, with modest decorations. It features a single hall layout with three openings, a roof with a swallow-tail ridge and a gabled end, and an entrance with a rolled eave-style corridor. The columns are circular, and the main wooden structure inside uses a beam system called "er zhang, san gua." There are cross beams in the main hall for hanging lanterns. In addition to the main deity, the Earth Treasury Bodhisattva, on the left side, the temple houses the Emperor of the North Pole, while on the right, the City God of Taipei and Marshal Tian Du are enshrined. General Fan and General Xie are also worshipped on either side. The City God Temple was originally located within Taipei City but was destroyed during the Japanese occupation, and the City God was relocated to this temple. Marshal Tian Du was originally housed in Zilai Temple on Xiyuan Road but was also moved here after the temple was destroyed. A grand event is held each year on the 30th day of the seventh lunar month to celebrate the birthday of the Earth Treasury Bodhisattva. The altar features a rustic incense burner from the 25th year of the Guangxu reign, engraved with the words "Guangxu Yi Hai Year Autumn Lucky." The plaque with the inscription "Dizangwang Temple," representing the main deity, was established in the 8th year of the Guangxu reign. The rustic incense burners on the altars dedicated to Generals Fan and Xie were established in the 34th year of the Meiji era. Beside the temple, there is a public temple dedicated to the wandering souls of the deceased, primarily early immigrants who tragically lost their lives while cultivating land in Taiwan. This temple was also built in the 25th year of the Qianlong reign, indicating a close historical relationship with the main temple.
