Goddess of the Earth Temple Introduction
The Niu Jiang Jun Temple is located in Shuiniucuo, Taibao City, Chiayi County, and is one of the earliest places where Han people came to cultivate the land. Inside, there is a large black water buffalo on display, accompanied by a shepherd holding a whip. According to legend, when Zheng Chenggong came to Taiwan to cultivate the land, he brought eight water buffaloes to assist in plowing. However, it was very difficult to clear the wilderness, and with more fields than buffaloes, these buffaloes eventually died from overwork. Later, the ancestors specially built a water buffalo temple to express their gratitude to the buffaloes and to remind future generations of the hardships faced by their predecessors. Even to this day, the Niu Jiang Jun Temple remains a popular pilgrimage site, attracting visitors throughout the year. Fresh grass, flowers, fruits, sugarcane, and a bucket of clean water are continuously offered at the stone mortar in front of the buffalo, making it a unique feature of the community.
