Goddess Mazu ceremony held in Tianjin  

天津妈祖庙举行春祭大典

一年一度的天津妈祖庙春祭大典暨传统文化庙会3日在天津天后宫举行。仿照皇家规格的祭祀仪式，让游客体验独特的“年文化”。

Tianjin (CNS) -- The annual spring sacrificial ceremony for Goddess Mazu (Mother Ancestor) was held at Tianjin's 680-year-old Tianhou Temple on Sunday.

The ceremony started with drumming and music, followed by a procession led by the chef mourner and assistants. Worshippers burned incense and knelt every three steps, touching the ground with their heads every nine steps, a gesture of high respect.

The launch of a fund to help poor students complete their schooling was also held.

Shang Jie, head of the temple's administrative committee, said the ceremony integrates tradition with the modern spirit and will enrich the culture of Spring Festival in Tianjin.

The temple's sacrificial ceremony was restored in 2007.