Manka Qingshan Temple

Qingshan Wang has long been believed to have the power to drive away plague, and to oversee justice, rewarding good and punishing evil. Deities worshipped alongside him include the Eight Officials, General Jia and General Suo. With more than a century of history, Manka Qingshan Temple is a three-hall temple of mixed timber and stone construction, renovated many times, with features such as its octagonal caisson ceiling. Many of the materials used in the renovations have stories behind them: the stone columns and stone blocks of the front hall came from stone left over from the Yuanshan Shrine. The statue of Qingshan Wang has a piercing gaze that seems different from every angle. The 23rd day of the tenth lunar month is Qingshan Wang's birthday. According to legend, in the two days before it he leads his generals on a tour of the streets and alleys of Monga to protect its people. On the 22nd, a night procession of the deity's sedan chair is held, with performances such as Ba Jia Jiang troupes, drum troupes and bands, and households set up incense tables and offerings by the roadside. This is the 'Monga Grand Worship', which, with the Dadaocheng Xiahai City God Temple procession and the Baosheng Dadi procession, is counted as one of Taipei's three great temple festivals.

Translated and shortened by DealTaipei from Taiwan's national tourism database. Sources are on the terms page.