COMPLICATED SITUATION: The head of the Jenn Lann Temple said that he could not have unilaterally canceled the event, as it involves many people and other temples
Taipei Times
Date: Feb 28, 2020
By: Shelley Shan / Staff reporter
The annual Dajia Matsu Pilgrimage has been postponed to comply with government measures
Jenn Lann Temple chairman Yen Ching-biao, front center, offers incense to Matsu in Taichung on Wednesday.
Photo: Chang Hsuan-che, Taipei Times
Approximately 1 million people participate in the pilgrimage each year, with believers and visitors embarking on a 340km journey through central Taiwan and visiting more than 100 temples dedicated to the goddess Matsu along the route.
Yen had previously said that people should not be afraid to participate, because they would be protected by Matsu and other deities, while temple vice chairman Cheng Ming-kuen (鄭銘坤) said that the event would be canceled if Taichung was locked down because of the disease.
Yen yesterday apologized in a Facebook video to all followers of Matsu for having to postpone the event. [FULL STORY]
