They feared that the yearly disappearance of the solar would mean the onslaught of famine and to prevent this from taking place would take an annual pilgrimage to Cuzco to honour the sunshine god and plead for his quick return. This ceremony was perhaps the most important in the Incan schedule and known as ‘Inti Raymi’, or ‘The celebration of the Sun’.Before the ceremony, celebrants would fast for days and refrain from all forms of physical pleasure. Gifts would then be presented to the Sapa Inca, who would put on a lavish feast of chichi, corn bread and animal meat, in exchange for a few slaughtered llamas.
machu picchu tours – Machu Picchu is the most visited site in Peru, and one of the top tourist destinations in all of South America. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Historic Sanctuary and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Slaughtering llamas was essential to ensure fertile countries and abounding vegetation for the yr ahead. Even today you will see many llamas on the Inca walk trek and Peruvians still hold them with the highest regard for the part they played in shaping the Inca Empire.In 1572, the Spaniards invaded Peru and banned the celebration of Inti Raymi, deeming it ‘pagan’ and not in line with their strict Catholic faith. However, with the hordes of tourists venturing to Peru to attempt the Inca trail, the event has been resurrected and now takes position at Cuzco every year on 24 June. With Cuzco as the main commencing point on the Inca walk to Machu Picchu, the event attracts both its fair share of tourists and locals alike.
Although times have changed, the event is as authentic as they come, with lavish feasts still a key part of the ceremony.
Locals take on the parts of fantastic Incan figures, and to be asked to play Sapa Inca, or his wife, is a great honor.As Machu Picchu has long been associated with sun worship, attending the ceremony is a great way to get a feel of the authentic rituals which were conducted on the grounds of Machu Picchu during solstices of the solar.
The most very important temple to the solar god, Wiracocha, was housed at Machu Picchu and therefore Inti Raymi couldn’t be a more apt start to your Inca trail trek.Although the event lasts all day the highlights take place in the evening when stacks of straw are set on fire in honor of the Tawantinsuty, or the Empire of the Four Wind Directions. Afterwards, adequate feasting follows; although you’re more likely to find yourself enjoying sumptuous alpaca meat and roasted ceviche than chichi and corn bread. Drinking is also a large part of these celebrations, however if you’re hoping to trek the Inca trail to Machu Picchu the following early morning you may want to take it easy on the Pisco sours
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