Cihu Temple Introduction
Cihu Temple, located on Xiajie Street in Jinshan, has a history of over 200 years and is the largest temple in Jinshan. It primarily worships the Golden-faced Mazu and serves as a center of local faith, often referred to by locals as the "Grand Temple." The artistic expressions in various aspects such as the foundation, roof, and body of the building are intricately crafted and worthy of careful admiration. The octagonal main hall features dragon columns that are exquisite examples of craftsmanship from the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, which are quite rare. The Mazu at Cihu Temple is divided into two figures: the Grand Mazu and the Second Mazu. The Second Mazu once drifted at sea and was discovered at the coast of Yehliu by chance. Since the statue is only eight inches tall, believers raised funds to carve a larger Mazu statue to match the size of the Grand Mazu, leading to the origin of the term "Mazu within Mazu." Subsequently, every year on the sixteenth day of the fourth lunar month, the Second Mazu parades from Jinshan to Yehliu to "visit her hometown," becoming a unique and significant celebratory event among Jinshan, Shimen, and Wanli.
