Heavenly Queen Temple (Footscray)

The Heavenly Queen Temple is a temple dedicated to Mazu or Tian Shang Sheng Mu, Chinese Goddess of Sea and Patron Deity of fishermen, sailors and any occupations related to sea/ocean, also regarded as Ancestral Deity for Lim Clan.

Heavenly Queen, also known as "Mazu", Lin Mo Laing (A.D. 960-987) was born in MeiZhou Island in FuJian province during the Sung dynasty in China. At her birth, a brilliant light appeared in the northwestern sky, and the scent of perfume filled her home. She was given the name Mo (silence) because as a newborn, she never cried. At her early age, she demonstrated great intelligence with photographic memory, healing the sick and helping the poor people. She also acquired the ability to predict the weather, saving many fishermen lives at sea. Although her life was of short duration, her intelligence and life saving legend remained forever. After her death, people built a temple on the MeiZhou Island at the spot where she ascended to heaven and become immortal. This became the origin of all Heavenly Queen temples around the world.

Devotees around the world continue to believe that Heavenly Queen will protect all those who pray to her before setting out to sea, and that she will save the lives of anyone on the open sea who cries to her in their hour of distress. Her birth day is celebrated each year on the 23nd March of the Chinese lunar calendar in all places with a Chinese sea faring tradition. Not only is Heavenly Queen a traditional Chinese religious figure who saves people's lives and promote mercy, her legends is also part of the traditional Chinese culture and has continued unabatedly for more than one thousand years.

The Temple precinct is alongside the Maribyrnong River and is approximately 40,000 square meters in area. Stage 1 includes building of the Heavenly Queen Temple, Entrance Gate, the Memorial Hall and the 16m high Statue. There will also be a tea house and restaurant which can seat up to 1000 people and additional buildings. All buildings will be constructed in traditional Chinese temple style and red brick wall and golden roof top.

Heavenly Queen Temple (Footscray)

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