00:00Hundreds of thousands of people, record numbers are here in Miaoli for the start of one of
00:06two pilgrimages, celebrating the birthday of the goddess Mazu.
00:10We have a lot of gratitude to each other in our hearts, including myself and my life.
00:24Mazu is Taiwan's most worshipped folk deity, and she's known as the goddess of the sea.
00:30People join these pilgrimages to demonstrate devotion, receive her blessings, or simply
00:34to give thanks.
00:37On the Baishatun pilgrimage, some followers will cover up to 400 kilometers in just over
00:41a week.
00:43From here in Gongtian Temple in Miaoli County, down to Chaotian Temple in Union County, then
00:48back up north again.
00:50Much of this time will be spent outdoors, walking in the sun, rain, and heat of western
00:55Taiwan.
00:56It's like you're walking with Mazu, and you can get your heart out of your heart.
01:01When I was walking last year, I think the most difficult place is to climb the water, so
01:09I've used the water to breathe, and I believe I can go smoothly.
01:16Now these crowds you see behind me are all trying to catch a glimpse of the moment that Mazu
01:19leaves this temple behind me.
01:21But it's getting harder and harder and harder every year.
01:24The event is becoming more and more popular.
01:27In 2010, only about 5,000 people officially registered.
01:31This year, over 200,000 have registered.
01:35And that's up from 180,000 last year.
01:52Now, a little bit later from now, Mazu will leave this temple behind me and begin her journey
01:56south.
01:57And when she does, the roads around this part of Miaoli will heave with crowds larger than
02:02they've ever seen before.
02:04Ryan Wu and Bryn Thomas in Miaoli for Taiwan Plus.
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