The annual pilgrimage of the Dajia Mazu statue through central Taiwan has once again captured public attention, this time due to an unprecedented delay that pushed the procession’s passage through Changhua’s Minzu Underground Passage to over seven hours behind schedule. The event, which draws hundreds of thousands of devotees each year, saw the sacred palanquin carrying the revered goddess Mazu arrive at the underground tunnel in the early hours of April 12, 2024, significantly later than anticipated, marking what organizers described as the latest recorded transit in the pilgrimage’s modern history.
The delay, attributed to a combination of massive crowd density, narrow confines of the underground passage, and heightened safety protocols following recent incidents, prompted temporary adjustments to the pilgrimage route and schedule. Despite the holdup, the procession continued without major incident, eventually completing its journey through Changhua County and onward toward Taichung. The episode has reignited discussions about balancing religious tradition with public safety in densely populated urban areas during large-scale cultural events.
According to the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, which oversees the pilgrimage, the statue’s departure from Dajia in Taichung City began as scheduled on the evening of April 10, but progress slowed markedly as it entered Changhua County due to overwhelming numbers of pilgrims lining the route. By the time the procession reached the Minzu Underground Passage—a 600-meter-long tunnel beneath Zhongzheng Road in Changhua City—it was already well past midnight, with authorities estimating the delay at approximately seven hours compared to the planned timetable.
Local police and traffic management units confirmed they implemented lane restrictions and pedestrian diversions to ensure safe passage, though the tunnel’s limited width and ventilation posed logistical challenges. Footage broadcast by Taiwan’s public broadcaster PTS showed thousands of devotees packed shoulder-to-shoulder within the confined space, many holding incense and chanting as the palanquin inched forward. Officers were seen guiding the flow and assisting elderly participants, though no serious injuries were reported during the passage.
The delay marks the latest in a series of logistical strains observed in recent years during the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, which spans approximately 340 kilometers over eight to nine days and includes stops in multiple townships and cities. In 2023, the procession experienced similar delays in Yunlin County due to road closures and crowd overflow, though none had previously extended as long as the 2024 incident in Changhua.
Religious scholars note that while delays are not uncommon in such a large-scale, foot-based procession, the increasing urbanization of traditional routes has intensified pressure on infrastructure not designed for sustained pedestrian volumes of this magnitude. “The Minzu Underground Passage was never intended to accommodate a continuous flow of hundreds of thousands of people over several hours,” said Professor Lin Mei-hua of National Chengchi University, specializing in Taiwanese folk religion. “What we’re seeing is a tension between preserving centuries-old ritual and adapting to modern urban realities.”
In response to the incident, the Changhua County Government stated it is reviewing coordination protocols with the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple and exploring potential adjustments for future pilgrimages, including staggered entry times or alternate surface routes to reduce reliance on underground passages. However, temple officials emphasized that any changes must respect the spiritual significance of the established route, which has been followed for generations.
The Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, recognized as one of the largest religious processions in the world, centers on the statue of Mazu, the sea goddess believed to protect fishermen and travelers. Originating in the 18th century, the pilgrimage involves the statue being carried on a ornate palanquin by dozens of devotees who rotate in shifts, accompanied by music, dance, and offerings. It concludes with the statue’s return to Dajia Jenn Lann Temple after visiting temples across central and southern Taiwan.
As of the latest update, the procession had successfully exited the Minzu Underground Passage and resumed its northward route toward Taichung City, with officials confirming no further major delays were anticipated. The temple has not released an official timestamp for when the statue finally cleared the tunnel, but multiple eyewitness accounts and live streams indicated passage was completed just before 7:00 a.m. Local time on April 12.
Looking ahead, the next major checkpoint in the pilgrimage is scheduled for April 13, when the procession is expected to enter Taichung City’s Beitun District en route to the final return to Dajia. Authorities advise the public to monitor official channels from the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple and local government offices for real-time updates on the procession’s location and any schedule adjustments.
For those wishing to follow the pilgrimage’s progress, the temple provides live updates via its official Facebook page and YouTube channel, while the Taichung City Government maintains a public information line for traffic and safety advisories related to the event.
As this year’s Dajia Mazu pilgrimage continues to unfold, it serves as a vivid reminder of the enduring power of tradition—and the evolving challenges of honoring it in a changing world.
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