Inti Raymi- Festival of the Sun

Every June 24, the Sun god is the protagonist of one of the most important and traditional festivals celebrated in Peru : The Inti Raymi or "Fiesta del Sol". During this date, thousands of national and foreign tourists walk the streets of the historic center of Cusco and congregate on the esplanades of its main enclosures to experience closely a special day of cultural activities, with the purpose to revalue the Inca legacy.

There are about 700 people, including actors, dancers and musicians who - dressed in typical clothing - star in a series of stagings that include dances, performances and praises performed outside the Coricancha complex and the Sacsayhuamán fortress, as well as in the Plaza of Arms of the city.

The beginning of a new Inca year

The Inti Raymi was established by the Inca Pachacútec in the 1430 AC, and was celebrated every year during the winter solstice of the southern hemisphere - the day when the Sun was farthest from the Earth. It was the most important ancestral festival in Tahuantinsuyo to which people from the four suyos used to go. The celebration was last attended by the Inca in 1535.

Today, the tradition is maintained as a theatrical representation charged with mysticism and spirituality. The celebration route begins in Coricancha, the ancient religious center of the Inca capital, where with dances and songs an offering is made to the Inti (Sun god).

Once the first act is finished on the esplanade of the Temple of the Sun, the attendees go to the Plaza de Armas to witness the continuation of the ceremony. It is said that, in this place, known as Haukaypata in Inca times, the most important figures of the empire used to gather during the night before the celebration, awaiting the appearance of the god Inti. With silence and with great respect they waited for the dawn, and when the god ascended between the mountains, the settlers thanked him for the prosperous harvests of the year.

The extensive field of the Sacsayhuamán fortress is the site of the third and last act: the most important of the day and which lasts approximately four hours. Here, the Inca and his entourage arrive to pay their respects and admiration to the Sun. The Inca says a prayer in the Quechua language and simulates a sacrifice so that a shaman can predict the prosperity and well-being of the coming year.

In 1572, the Inti Raymi was prohibited by the Spanish viceroy Francisco de Toledo as it was considered a pagan ceremony and contrary to the Catholic faith, although it continued to be celebrated clandestinely. In 1944, Faustino Espinoza Navarro promoted the recovery of this traditional event and carried out a historical reconstruction. Since that date, the festivity has become public again and attracts thousands of tourists each year.

The triumphant return of the Sun on the shortest day and on the longest night renews the nature and it is reason for joy and celebration. The Inti Raymi is not an exclusive celebration of Cusco, since most of the Andean populations continue presenting their offerings every June 24 in countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, northern Argentina and Colombia. On these dates, the anniversary of Cusco is also celebrated, in which the city is enveloped in a climate of celebration and fun that you should definitely experience.

On March 2 of 2001, the Inti Raymi was declared Cultural Heritage of Peru. Its organization and production is in charge today of the Provincial Municipality of Cusco.

Where to go and what to do

Perhaps the best way for visitors to enjoy Inti Raymi is to simply soak up the spectacle. The day-long celebration in Cusco begins at Coricancha historical site – a temple that translates to the 'Golden Palace', such was its grandeur during the days of the Incan Empire. From here the dancing and music commences, as the 'Emperor' emerges and begins the procession to Plaza de Armas, a downtown hub of restaurants and historic buildings from the colonial period. Here, there’s a chance to witness another performance and tribute to the gods, the cocoa leaf ceremony, before the performance and the parade continues on to the ruins of the Sacsayhuaman temple. The festivities at Sacsayhuaman conclude with a ceremonial bonfire and a parade back into Cusco.

Food and drink

The ceremony of Inti Raymi isn’t the only thing in Peru that has survived from Incan times. Synonymous with the festival is the dish chiriuchu, also known as 'cold spice'. The ancient grain parched corn is combined with cooked meats and vegetables, forming a hearty dish served cold. Everyone from street vendors to restaurants will be selling it. Modern equivalents are cooked with the popular Peruvian grain quinoa.

During the ceremonies themselves, expect to be flanked by locals cooking up their own food in a huatia – a traditional earth or hive oven. These are used for simple meat and potatoes dishes, drawing from the ground in keeping with the spirit of Inti Raymi. Whatever you end up eating, be sure to wash it down with chicha morada, a vibrant purple corn drink that, like Inti Raymi, is something of a national institution.

An interesting video to watch on Inti Raymi: https://youtu.be/yoyohSIDuNg


Hope you had fun reading and learning something new. As always leave me questions and/or comments at the bottom of this post :)