La Fiesta del Sol

El Inti Raymi o Fiesta del Sol, fue la fiesta más importante en tiempo de Incas. Se celebraba con ocasión del solsticio de invierno -el año nuevo solar- para un pueblo cuyo principal objeto de culto era el dios Inti (el sol), en la Plaza de Huacaypata en Cusco.
Durante la época de los Incas, el Wawa Inti Raymi fue instituido por el inca Pachacútec en la década de 1430 dC, como parte de su reorganización político-administrativa del estado inca, y era un ritual para legitimar el control imperial sobre los pueblos sometidos.
The modern day re-enactment of Inti Raymi still retains all of its majestic glory, albeit without the procession of ancient mummies and just 1 animal sacrifice at the culmination of the day’s celebrations. The celebrations start in the morning on the large open cancha at the front of the Inca Temple of the Sun – Korikancha. With the arrival of representatives from the four suyos of the Inca Empire (Qollasuyu, Kuntisuyu, Antisuyu y Chinchaysuyu), the Sapa Inca opens the festivities with invoking praise to the sun god – Inti. From Korokancha the royal entourage continues the short distance to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. A ceremonial reading of the sacred coca leaf then takes place to foresee the fate of the Inca Empire for the up-coming year. The ancient Inca archaeological site of Saqsayhuman is where the final part of the re-enactment is played out.  Thousands of local spectators crowed the surrounding hills for a glimpse of the ceremony, whilst premium grandstand seats are available in the main arena of Saqsayhuman. Dressed in full costume, the Inca delivers his final words in Quechua before a ritual sacrifice of a llama. The festival finishes as the air fills with the sound of horns, panpipes and beating drums.