Taiwan pilgrims worship the sacred Taishan Mountain in Tai'an, Shandong province, July 7.

A Taiwan delegation has paid a visit to Taishan Mountain scenic region in Tai'an, Shandong province to pray for happiness from the sacred mountain.

The religious delegation was led by Su Nancheng, the former mayor of Kaohsiung on July 6. He was accompanied by 280 believers of Bixiayuanjun- China's most well-known goddess. A Taoist temple is dedicated to her on the mountain although there are others in Taipei and Tainan.

The ceremony included several religious rituals – burning joss sticks, offering sacrifices, praying for Heaven, Earth and blessings to get rid of bad luck.

The Taishan Mountain culture has a long history in Taiwan. Goddess Bixiayuanjun was brought across the Taiwan Straits to Shilin in the northern suburban region of Taipei in 1662. Furthermore, Dongyue Palace was established in Tainan in 1673 to worship the Taishan Mountain Emperor, a Taoist god in Chinese folk tale.

Goddess Bixiayuanjun Taoist Temple was built in 1008 on Taishan Mountain under the imperial order of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty (916-1279).

There are many other temples that worship Taishan Mountain and Goddess Bixiayuanjun on Taiwan Island. The Taishan Mountain culture, a unique combination of Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist cultures, has become the common spiritual means for people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

By Chen Zhilin (chinadaily.com.cn)

Edited by Tania