When our ancestors sailed across the sea to Taiwan, they settled and developed the new land, then speckled it with temples.
Each year, on the 27th day of the third lunar month, some 20 local Wangye (“king” or “royal lord”) deities come from surrounding communities to lodge at Jiaying Temple in Xinwen, Budai Township. They approach the temple from the sea.
The gods of Jiaying Temple are conscientious hosts who send dozens of sedan chairs into the water to escort the visitors in. This ceremony is therefore known as “rushing into the water to welcome the visiting kings.”