San Sheng Gong Introduction
San Sheng Temple, located in the southern part of the Toushe Basin, is dedicated to the worship of the Three Mountain Kings as the main deity. Although the temple's appearance cannot be described as grand or magnificent, it exudes an antique charm and serves as the spiritual center of the Toushe area. Historical records indicate that the Three Mountain Kings were initially worshiped individually in the residences of locals. They were particularly effective in matters regarding protection against native attacks and for rain-making in the early days, prompting residents to advocate for the construction of a temple for communal worship and prayer. The Toushe area originally belonged to the territory of the Saisiyat indigenous people, as evidenced by place names such as “Fan Zi Tomb” and “Fan Zi Store.” Consequently, early Han settlers often faced disturbances and fatalities at the hands of the indigenous populace. To address this, the settlers invited the Three Mountain Kings to serve as their guardians. It is said that whenever indigenous people were spotted in the nearby hills, the Three Mountain Kings would manifest, rallying soldiers in a display to scare away the natives, allowing the settlers to live and work in peace. The Three Mountain Kings are heavily associated with Hakka culture, primarily found in Hakka settlements; however, the Toushe area is predominantly inhabited by Minnan people, leading the locals to refer to the three mountain deities as "San Xian Guo Wang," which is quite distinctive.
