Xinzhuang Jiaying Temple Introduction
Early settlers crossed the sea to Taiwan in search of spiritual solace, and in the 18th year of the Daoguang era, they built Caoliao to worship the deity Wangye, originally named Jiaying Temple. In the 10th year of the Guangxu era, the temple was constructed at its current site and renamed Jiaying Temple. After more than 80 years of deterioration, it was rebuilt in the same spot in the 54th year of the Republic of China. The main deities worshipped here are Jiulong Sangu, Yuncheng Wangye, and Youtian Wang, among others. Every year, on the 27th day of the third lunar month, there is a unique religious folk activity called "Ying Ke Wang" (Welcoming the Guest King) and "Chong Shui Lu," which is famous throughout Taiwan. Besides the main deities, the statue of Nanhai Golden Guanyin in the back hall is legendary—this Buddha statue was brought to Taiwan by Governor Jiang Yuanjun from Tangshan Nanhai Buddha Mountain in the 28th year of the Qianlong era. It was originally enshrined in the Guanyin Hall of the old Chaofeng Temple in Dagangshan, Kaohsiung. Later, in the 52nd year of the Republic, the community suffered from an epidemic, and the Nanhai Golden Guanyin was invited to stay, leading to a turn of fortune for the devotees who sincerely worshipped. Eventually, it settled in the back hall of Jiaying Temple. The mud sculpture of Guanyin is exquisitely crafted, making it a rare 300-year-old ancient Buddha. The "Chong Shui Lu" and "Ying Ke Wang" events at Jiaying Temple in Xinchang, Budai are rare temple fair activities in Taiwan. Devotees believe that on the 27th day of the third lunar month, a total of 20 "Guest Kings," composed of 7 mountain patrolling Wangye and 13 sea patrolling Wangye, gather on an invisible royal ship off the coast of Xinchang in Budai Township. This royal ship rides the high tide into the Xinchang area to receive guests. To fulfill the host's hospitality, on this day, Yuncheng Wangye and Jiulong Sangu invite nearby temples like Nankunshan Old Sanwang, Beigang Chaotian Temple's Tanggan Mama, and Puzi Peitian Temple's Sanma to come and greet them. When dozens of divine palanquins rush into the sea together, it creates a magnificent scene that forms this grand folk celebration of "Chong Shui Lu" and "Ying Ke Wang."
