Cihou Temple Introduction
Cihu Temple, located on Xiaojie Street in Jinshan, has a history of two hundred years and is the most significant temple in Jinshan, primarily dedicated to the worship of the Golden-Faced Mazu. It serves as a center of faith for the local community, and the locals refer to it as the "Great Temple." The intricate artistic expressions found throughout its base, roof frame, roof, and body are worthy of admiration. The octagonal main hall features dragon pillars that are exquisite examples of craftsmanship from the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, making them quite rare. The Mazu of Cihu Temple is categorized into two: Da Ma and Er Ma. Er Ma was once adrift at sea and was fortuitously discovered on the shores of Yehliu. Since the statue is only eight inches tall, devotees raised funds to create a large Mazu statue to match the size of Da Ma, concealing the eight-inch Mazu within, which is the origin of the term "Mazu among Mazu." Subsequently, on the sixteenth day of the fourth lunar month, Er Ma makes an annual pilgrimage from Jinshan to Yehliu to visit "her mother's house," becoming a unique and important festive event among Jinshan, Shimen, and Wanli.
