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Next: about 29 Apr to 7 May 2027

Matsu Pilgrimage

Taiwan's nine-day walking pilgrimage with the sea goddess from Dajia, among the largest religious events in the world.

Mazu: Wood Statue of Mazu Late 19th century CE Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE) China
Photo: Mary Harrsch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When is Matsu Pilgrimage in 2027?

Matsu Pilgrimage 2027 runs from 29 April to 7 May 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, 9 to 17 May 2026; 2028, 17 to 25 April 2028.

About Matsu Pilgrimage

Each year around the birthday of Mazu, the sea goddess, on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, hundreds of thousands of people walk with her image through central Taiwan. The procession of the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung covers around 340 kilometres in nine days and eight nights, with stops at some 80 temples on the way. The sedan chair carrying the image is escorted by drummers, firecrackers, musicians and pilgrims on foot, and local families set up tables of food along the route for the walkers and bow to the goddess as she passes. Lying beneath the sedan chair is thought to bring blessing. Mazu is the protector of fishers and sailors. UNESCO has listed the belief and customs of Mazu.

Matsu Pilgrimage dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

YearMatsu Pilgrimage date
20269 to 17 May 2026
202729 April to 7 May 2027
202817 to 25 April 2028

This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.

What is eaten

  • free pilgrim meals
  • sweet rice

Traditions of Matsu Pilgrimage

MazuThe sea goddess honoured.

Also part of it, and being written: Dajia Jenn Lann Temple (The temple where the walk begins.), Pilgrimage (The wider tradition.).

About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Mazu" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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