The Dajia Ma Zu Pilgrimage is one of the most iconic religious and cultural events in Taiwan, and the government will extend full support to promoting the event worldwide, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said yesterday as the pilgrimage concluded at Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung City.
The premier wished health and well-being to the participants and prayed for the country's prosperity. The duration of the pilgrimage was extended from five or seven days to nine days this year. Hundreds of thousands of followers from across Taiwan and around the world participated in the 365-kilometer procession, walking an average of 40 kilometers per day.
"Faith is an important heritage for a society. And where a society has faith, it has hope," Jiang said. He was also inspired by how the pilgrims encouraged and helped one another complete the nine-day trek.