Worshippers from two central Taiwan temples have made it something of a tradition to go on hikes into Taiwan’s rugged interior, carrying statues of their gods with them on their backs.
After conquering Taiwan’s highest peak in 2018, the combined hiking team is back at it again, this time aiming for a famous but remote lake.
Jiaming Lake in Taiwan’s southeastern mountains is a sight to behold. Nicknamed “The Angel’s Tear”, it sits amid magnificent alpine surroundings. But reaching this rugged spot takes endurance—especially if like one recent group of visitors, you’re hiking there with statues of gods strapped onto your back.
A combined team of hikers from two temples trekked to the lake in exactly this way, only reaching the lake after three days of climbing in bad weather.
The team includes experienced hikers, but even they said this particular route was a challenge. At the end, though, team members encountered what they regard as a miracle- days of mist, wind, and rain lifted after they reached their destination. With this sign of apparent divine approval, they prayed by the lake, among other things, for a “lifting” of the COVID-19 pandemic as well.