Pingtung temples hold Ghost Festival rituals, some traffic controls in effect

In Pingtung, Taiwan, two prominent temples are preparing for traditional Ghost Festival observances, a significant cultural event during the seventh lunar month. Cifeng Temple is hosting a three-day ritual that began with drumbeats and will include the release of "water lanterns" on Tuesday to guide spirits ashore for offerings.

The main ritual, a "Pu Du" ceremony, will take place on Wednesday, where food and other offerings will be presented to appease wandering spirits. Following the ceremony, most of the offerings will be distributed to underprivileged families and low-income households, according to the temple's new chairman, Chen Mingshun.

Meanwhile, Yuhuang Temple is conducting an eight-day "Lianghuang Chaojian" ceremony, a grand ritual aimed at transcending ancestors and resolving karmic debts for both individuals and their pets. This ceremony requires participants to attend daily and offer incense to their ancestors, emphasizing sincerity in seeking divine assistance.

During these Ghost Festival periods, temporary traffic controls will be implemented on sections of Zhongshan Road and Qingnian Road near the temples. The Ghost Festival is a time when many temples across Taiwan hold ceremonies to honor ancestors and appease spirits, reflecting deep-rooted cultural and religious practices.