Wiracocha the Principal God of the Incas

The Inca worshipped a number of Gods, including the sun (Inti). But they believed in a Principal God, Wiraqocha, the creator of all things. This God parallels or even equates to the Christian God, revealed through Jesus Christ.

Who was Wiracocha?

Viracocha is the great creator god in the pre-Inca and Inca mythology in the Andes region of South America. Full name and some spelling alternatives are Apu Qun Tiqsi Wiraqutra and Con-Tici (also spelled Kon-Tiki) Viracocha. Viracocha was one of the most important deities in the Inca pantheon and seen as the creator of all things, or the substance from which all things are created, and intimately associated with the sea. Viracocha created the universe, sun, moon and stars, time (by commanding the sun to move over the sky) and civilization itself. Viracocha was worshipped as god of the sun and of storms. He was represented as wearing the sun for a crown, with thunderbolts in his hands, and tears descending from his eyes as rain.

According to the myth recorded by Juan de Betanzos, Viracocha rose from Lake Titicaca (or sometimes the cave of Pacaritambo) during the time of darkness to bring forth light. He made the sun, moon, and the stars. He made mankind by breathing into stones, but his first creation were brainless giants that displeased him. So he destroyed it with a flood and made a new, better one from smaller stones. Viracocha eventually disappeared across the Pacific Ocean (by walking on the water), and never returned. He wandered the earth disguised as a beggar, teaching his new creations the basics of civilization, as well as working numerous miracles. He wept when he saw the plight of the creatures he had created. It was thought that Viracocha would re-appear in times of trouble. Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa noted that Viracocha was described as "a man of medium height, white and dressed in a white robe like an alb secured round the waist, and that he carried a staff and a book in his hands."

In one legend he had one son, Inti, and two daughters, Mama Quilla and Pachamama. In this legend, he destroyed the people around Lake Titicaca with a Great Flood called Unu Pachakuti, saving two to bring civilization to the rest of the world, these two beings are Manco Capac, the son of Inti (sometimes taken as the son of Viracocha), which name means "splendid foundation", and Mama Ocllo, which means "mother fertility". These two founded the Inca civilization carrying a golden staff, called ‘tapac-yauri’. In another legend, he fathered the first eight civilized human beings. In some stories, he has a wife called Mama Cocha.

Wiraqocha - The Principal God of the Incas in Machu Picchu

Brasilian Actors of “Insensato Corazón” in love with Peru

Neither Brazilian actors of the soap opera, Insensato Corazón, could stand their desire to visit the beautiful City of Cusco and  the citadel of Machu Picchu which has been visited not only by actors, but also presidents, singers, footballers and other world class personalities.

This is why, after their arrival in the imperial city, Paola Oliveira and Antonio Fagundes visited the Stone of Twelve Angles, Sacsayhuaman, among other important tourist atractions which will be used as locations for the recordings of the new soa popera of the renowned Brazilian television network, Red O’Globo, which will be seen in more than 23 countries.

Actors Antonio, Paola and other internationally recognized stars, stayed a week in Cusco where they participated in the scenes of the new soap opera and made use of their free time to learn more about the culture of the imperial city and, of course, to have a great time while in Peru. This visit, once again, highlights the great international recognition to the city of Cusco.

Therefore, if Peru is conquering the world with its scenery, costumes and music; its people can also conquer them with their kindness and assistance. Let’s go on being the nice Peruvians we are so that we can help with the practice of susitainable tourism and continue generating opportunities in all Peruvian corners.