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The amazing Sun Festival, which is called Inti Raymi in Quechua, the ancient Inca language, was the most important ceremony of the Inca empire. It was established by Pachacutec, the first emperor, at around 1,430 a.D. The goal of this religious event was to revere the Sun God, which on June 24th is at its most distant of the Earth, if seen from the Southern hemisphere. By worshiping the Sun God, it was believed that it would always come back to give light, warmth and good harvests.
For the occasion, regional rulers and their entourages, along with the people of Cusco and all Inca nobility, gathered in today’s Main Square (Plaza de Armas) to venerate the Sun God. The Inti Raymi indeed was a major, massive event. Besides the adoration of the Sun God, it also meant a ceremony of submission of regional royalty to the emperor. Finally, it marked the beginning of the new farming year.
In the times of the Incas, the Inti Raymi was held entirely at the Main Square. Nowadays, the main ceremony in Cusco is divided between 3 places:
The Koricancha Temple:
At around 8 am of June 24th, a multitude gathers in front of the gardens of the temple, for the main ceremony in Cusco, which was the center of Inca religion. The main priests lived and worshiped there. Next, the Inca court appears, along with dancers, music, dignitaries and more, all of them in typical costumes. The emperor himself presides over the ritual, bringing offerings to the Sun. This part of the Inti Raymi has a duration of approximately 45 minutes.
Main Square (Plaza de Armas):
Then comes the middle-part of the Inti Raymi, done at this postcard of Cusco City. The Inca emperor and all his court continue to give offerings to the Sun God, music is played, people march and dance. A top experience for the senses. The empire’s priests pray and worship the Sun, so the agricultural year will be successful and life will be preserved. This part of the main ceremony in Cusco has a duration of 1 hour minimum.
Sacsayhuaman Fortress:
The third and final part of the spectacular Inti Raymi takes place at this fortress just outside Cusco City. Surrounded by gigantic stone walls, at a beautiful wood, the Sun Festival keeps going on, with people from all the corners of the old empire dancing, marching and bringing offerings to the Sun God (Tayta Inti in Quechua). This part also marks moments of strong religious, mystical feelings, as the main ceremony in Cusco comes close to an end. The Sacsayhuaman segment has a duration of at least 2 hours.
- Dress Code: We suggest you dress up in layers for the Inti Raymi, because the morning is sunny, warm but in the afternoon it can get colder and windy. So bring a light jacket just in case.
- Now the following items are mandatory for the Inti Raymi: sun hat or cap, dark glasses, sunblock, tennis shoes. Also bring your own supply of water and snacks.
You can easily add the Inti Raymi to your itinerary in Peru! Talk to our travel professionals and make it happen also to the main ceremony in Cusco!
