Shenggongma Temple, Temple in Lingya District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Shenggongma Temple is a shrine in Lingya District, Kaohsiung, featuring distinctive architecture where a small red shrine sits enclosed within a larger four-story building structure. The main deity statue stays concealed behind red cloth, yet the temple remains open 24 hours daily for worshippers to enter.
During the mid-Qing Dynasty, local fishermen built a small shrine called Wanying Temple, which never flooded despite sitting in a low-lying area. This remarkable characteristic made the site become an important gathering place for the community.
The temple draws visitors especially on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month, when outdoor theater performances take place around the grounds. This celebration is an important occasion for local people to gather and experience traditional performances together.
The temple is accessible 24 hours daily, so you can visit at any time that suits you. Be prepared for the interior to be quite dark, as it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust once inside.
In the 1970s, political candidates performed chicken-beheading ceremonies at the shrine to demonstrate their sincerity during elections. This unusual practice reflected the close connection between the temple and local political life.
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