Longtian Temple Introduction
It is said that the God of Thunder, Lei Fu Qian Sui, is a deity from the Nine Heavens Thunder Department. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, he was ordered to save people in the mortal world, and in the 36th year of the Republic of China (1947), he was granted the will of the Jade Emperor of the Nine Heavens to descend to Taiwan, bringing salvation to all beings. In the 71st year of the Republic of China (1982), Longtian Temple, due to years of wear and tear, and an increasing number of visitors, local residents undertook its reconstruction. On November 10 of the same year, the ground was broken, and after two years and three months, it was completed. The renovated Longtian Temple is dazzlingly magnificent and splendid, and on November 3, 1986, in the 75th year of the Republic of China, the fire-setting ceremony was held. For a long time, the residents of Yihe Village in Dalin Township have believed that the God of Thunder can bless villagers with good health and abundant crops. Every year, on the 14th day of the 8th lunar month, which is the birthday of the God of Thunder and the anniversary of the White Crane Boy, Longtian Temple holds a celebration. Villagers prepare offerings and gather at the temple for worship. A stage for traditional opera is also set up in front of the temple. With loud drums and gongs, it is a rare grand event in this peaceful countryside. In front of Longtian Temple, there is a century-old well with clear water that has never run dry and is incredibly sweet, which used to be an important source of drinking water for local residents. During the Dragon Boat Festival, villagers compete to draw "noon water." The folk belief is that noon water can cure many ailments, and it is said that the noon water drawn from this ancient well in front of Longtian Temple can be stored for a long time without spoiling. Many people use it for brewing tea, treating illnesses, purification, cleansing homes, drawing talismans, and more. When Longtian Temple was rebuilt, this ancient well was the center of the construction, and there is even a fountain shaped like a dragon above it, representing the local dragon veins. If visitors come during the Dragon Boat Festival, they can see villagers gathering in front of the dragon head statue, competing to draw noon water, which is a spectacular sight. (Source: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System)
