Winter’s solstice is welcomed by the Southern Hemisphere June 21st of each year. At this time, the Andes awaken in celebration. We invite you to discover more about Inti Raymi – the Festival of the Sun. This day now brings thousands into Cusco, Peru and we give respect to Inti, Sun God. It is a time of gratitude, renewal, and cosmic equilibrium.
During Inca times, the year’s shortest day marked important moments when the sun seemed most distant. The Inca rulers performed elaborate ceremonies, in order to ensure the sun’s return with fertility intended for their crops coupled with prosperity intended for their people. This day is a sacred pause, a deep inhale before that sun begins then its slow return with that sun appearing furthest from that earth as those days are the shortest.
The Inca traditions were suppressed because of the Spanish conquest. However, Inti Raymi got revived during the 20th century, including one dazzling festival of Peru. These ritual offerings, energetic dances, resonant music, plus invocation of harmony between humans and the cosmos, draw people together. Locals together with travelers come for witnessing the event. In modern life, it does remind each and all of us of something that many might have quite forgotten: that we are a part of nature, not separate from it.
Inti Raymi happens to be at three of the modern sites. These locations are iconic.
The ceremony then starts as priests send prayers to Inti amid rich offerings and ritual chants at Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), this sacred Inca temple. Plaza de Armas (Hawkaypata) – A grand procession reenacts the very moment when any Inca ruler arrives then is surrounded through nobles, priests, together with warriors in colorful regalia.
Sacsayhuamán is at this massive fortress where you can see Cusco from the top. Here in Quechua, the Sapa Inca (emperor) delivers a speech, blessings are invoked, also a symbolic sacrifice is made (it’s just a pretend llama or alpaca, so don’t worry!). The air envelops you with music plus dance and a culture’s lasting energy.
Inti Raymi is Peru’s one of strong heritages. You will feel the echo of such a civilization and when the sun sets over Sacsayhuamán, let us pause now just for a moment and breathe so deeply. And then we should ask ourselves: What should I release? What is the thing that I am prepared to quit holding on to? Am I prepared now in this moment to plant what specific seeds?
And the last question: are you prepared upon seeing the magic? Pumadventures allows for you to enter into a world in which history lives beneath the Andean sun.
