Opened in 1590, the Lugang Mazu Temple was the first Mazu temple and statue in Taiwan.
This remarkable place has an electric energy and is always filled with worshipers and visitors alike. It is a must see on any temple tour of Taiwan. When visiting Lugang, there is plenty of great food to try and fun places to explore.
The Lugang Mazu Temple (Matsu Tian Hou Gong Temple)
Upon entering the temple from the center of the Lugang Old Street, visitors can feel the spiritual hum of the temple and smell the wafts of incessantly burning incense from inside. The building is several hundred years old and is a true relic of Taiwan history.
Youtube Video of Lugang’s Famous Matsu Temple
Matsu Temple in Lugang
The statue of Mazu inside the temple was carried from China’s Fujian Province in 1683. This is where Mazu was born in 960 AD. Here, paper money offerings are laid out on the main table in the center of the temple.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
These paper money offerings can be bought right inside the gate of the temple from different people sitting along the wall. They are 100NT. You can also buy them inside the temple just inside the doorways.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
Once you have your paper money, you can take out the incense from the packets, light them at a gas burner inside, and then, starting from the right, make your way clockwise around the temple taking time to bow at each deity statue and leaving incense sticks at each urn.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
The number of incense sticks you leave in each urn is different. Sometimes, 1, 2, or 3. It’s good to have a guide. But the last 3 sticks should be left at the center urn of the temple.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
When Mazu was born in 960, her parents knew she was a special child. At age 16, a deity from a well gave her special powers and she worked hard to learn more about the Taoist religion. When she was 28, she left home and climbed to the top of a high cliff overlooking the ocean. She then disappeared and has been seen as a Goddess of the Sea since then.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
The temple has two floors and their are deities on each floor to worship. You don’t need to buy incense. You can simple head to the main statue of Mazu on the first floor, put your hands together and bow 3 times.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
The spraying fountain is located in the back end of the temple.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
Green dragons sit on the rooves of the temple to keep bad spirits away.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
A history of the temple is described inside the temple. You can learn more about the temple at www.lugangmazu.org.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
The artwork within the temple is old and very Chinese.
Matsu Temple in Lugang
The stone reliefs are made by Taiwan artisans.
Other Sites Related to Lugang:
Lugang Old Street and Alleyways
