Beigang Mazu starts U.S. pilgrimage with three-city tour

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Beigang Chaotian Temple's Mazu embarked on an international cultural pilgrimage to the United States on Tuesday (May 14). The half-month tour will include stops in San Francisco, Houston, and New York, marking Mazu's first international journey since the pandemic and her initial visits to Houston and New York.

EVA Air facilitated the air shipment of the palanquin, pilgrimage items, and souvenirs, providing a dedicated check-in counter and premium economy seating for the deity's statue.

Mazu has been invited to the Passport to Taiwan Festival in New York, a key event for both locals and the overseas Taiwanese community, highlighting the festival's role in promoting Taiwanese religious and cultural experiences globally.

The temple aims to use this pilgrimage to offer foreigners a unique opportunity to engage with Taiwanese religious culture, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation across cultural divides.