The annual Dajia Mazu procession is one of Taiwan’s great religious gatherings. Each year, it winds through around 340km of central Taiwan over the course of nine days.
COVID-19 forced the organizers of this year’s procession to cancel the original start date of March 19. But now, with the pandemic under control in Taiwan and restrictions loosening, the procession can go ahead. Worshippers plan to set off from the procession’s traditional starting point, Taichung’s Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, late on Thursday.
Ordinarily, tens of thousands of worshippers line the procession route. But this year, the number of people allowed to take part is being capped at 800. They are set to be outnumbered by the police force of 1800 being sent to keep order as the procession moves forward. All of these participants have to wear masks as they complete their trek.
In addition, worshippers are being told to avoid certain displays of piety such as prostrating beneath the passing palanquin carrying the sea goddess Mazu.