It consecrates Confucius, God of Martial art and Literature. When in trouble, they visit this island to talk to their ancestral spirits and find a solution. The region surrounded by rolling hills is a paradise with abundant natural beauty, picturesque villages shrouded by curtains of white puffs. I had arrived at Nantou County in central Taiwan far from the blinding neon lights, skyscrapers and multi-tiered flyovers of Taipei. We returned to the pier and took the wooden walkway lined by cherry blossoms. The temple itself is beautiful with murals and paintings. The vast expanse of a lake shimmered in the sunlight as newlyweds were busy getting their photoshoots done. Taste of cultureIn pursuit of interesting myths and anecdotes, I checked into Fleur de Chine hotel to spend the night. There were two entrances to the main hall. The Japanese ruled for fifty years in Taiwan which has had major influences on the food, culture and lifestyle of the Taiwanese. The smoke emitting from them are said to be the prayers that would eventually reach heaven. If curved surface of both the blocks face up, it means your RG6/U Cables suppliers wish is rejected, both flat sides up means go for another wish, one flat and one curved face up means your wish will come true. I was curious to know more about the aboriginal tribe. So one must enter from the former and exit from the latter — it’s symbolic of conquering death after offering your prayers inside. Legend states that an unmarried tribal lady got pregnant and hence was shunned by her tribe. One side of the block was curved while the other was flat.

It is told the aboriginals accidentally found the lake when they were hunting a deer. The helpless lady disappeared into the woods and never returned. Over the period the water level rose and it took the shape of a sun and a moon separated by an island called Lalu, hence the name Sun Moon Lake.Away from the neon lights and dizzying heigts of Taipei, the heart of Taiwan is a mystical land, says Rathina Sankari Cherry Blossoms Away from the neon lights and dizzying heigts of Taipei, the heart of Taiwan is a mystical land, says Rathina SankariAre we in Europe ” exclaimed one of the tourists. Francis Hu, our guide, informed that only the aboriginals are allowed to set foot on this island. In the distance, I could see a swathe of mist, which had enveloped a mountain that looked like a lady sprawled in a dream. From February to April every year, the cherry trees come to life here and are a riot of different shades of pink.Rathina is a travel blogger with a special interest in food and culture. We cut through the water and reached Lalu Island, which was called Jade Island by the Japanese. I looked around and sighted the narrow cobbled lanes with cyclists zipping down the alleys. Home to the aboriginals, it is told that this is where the military leader Chiang Kai Shek devised plans to capture China.

Francis then showed me how one can wish for something and then check with the almighty if it would come true by dropping two blocks of wood on the floor. Dinner was special with the chef dishing out some lamb chops, duck and steak the Japanese way — called Teppanyaki.The AboriginalsAs I walked across the expanse, I reached the pier next to the blue green waters. As I climbed the steps which were earlier called ‘Stairway to Heaven’, I noticed the huge lions on either side of the entrance that denote protection. But whenever a lady in the tribe got pregnant, an owl would be seen hovering around her hut. Stuffed owls of all sizes hung across shops in Sun Moon Lake for sale. Temple of life and deathNext morning, I headed to the Wen Wu temple in Shuei-She Village. It’s fascinating legends, interesting culture and history had caught my imagination. Inside, devotees first light the incense sticks and place it in the burner. That was when Francis mentioned about the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village in the area. They believe that it’s the same woman who returns as an owl to protect other women. I wasn’t yet done with Sun Moon Lake. The lake was a result of a dam constructed in 1931 during the Japanese rule to generate electricity. Francis informed that the right door denoted life and the left door denoted death. The best way to experience it is by taking a cable car that passes through vast expanses of cherry blossom orchards. I took a ride on one of the solar powered boats.

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