Every June 24th, the day when the sun is farthest from the earth and also coincides with the winter solstice, the Inti Raymi or “Feast of the Sun” is celebrated on the esplanade of Sacsayhuaman.
During the Inca era, the Inti Raymi or Feast of the Sun was the most important of the four festivals celebrated in the city of Cusco, as described by Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. It marked the beginning of the year as well as the mythical origin of the Inca. The Feast of the Sun lasted nine days during which dances and sacrifices were performed. The last Inti Raymi that was held in the presence of the Inca emperor took place in 1535.
On the eve of the feast, all fires in the Tahuantinsuyo were extinguished. In the Huacaypata main square (now the Plaza de Armas in Cusco), all the characters of the Inca empire gathered.
In the shadows, the crowd of people awaited with great respect the appearance of the god Inti (sun). All the generals, princes, and nobility waited in deep silence, with many people dressed as beasts and other animals from Andean mythology.
When the sun god appeared, they expressed their recognition and worshiped him as the supreme, only, and universal god who, with his light and virtue, created and sustained all things on earth. They also thanked him for the harvest received in the year.
With the help of the priests, the Inca “induced” the god Inti (sun) to return with the favor of his rays to fertilize the land and provide for the welfare of the children of the great empire of Tahuantinsuyo. The sacred fire was renewed with a concave gold bracelet that was placed against the sunlight, whose reflections were projected onto a piece of very carmenated cotton that was ignited in a short space of time. The sacred flame was taken to the Coricancha, where it would be kept by the acllas.
During the ceremony, a llama was also sacrificed to predict the coming year. Then a great military march followed, and finally everyone retired and erupted in unbridled celebration for several days.
If you want to see these magnificent Inti Raymi festivals today, you can visit on June 24th of each year, and you can also visit Machu Picchu or other tourist centers.
