Inti Raymi festival which
is dedicated to praise the deeds of the Sun is the second largest festival of
South America and can be considered as one of the convincing and historic
carnival of Peru. The celebration of Inti Raymi is marked by millions of
devotee who gathers around the open space of Cuzco to offer homage to the first
son of the sun who is renowned as Inti Churin. The festival in fact is a symbol
of immortal sanctification of marriage between the sun and his sons.
Historical
Facts
To understand the historical
background of the festival traveler would require understating the Spanish
oppression during its colonial days. The Spaniards during their days took an
active participation to outcast the events of Inti Raymi that used occur during
the solace of winter in Cuzco. It is believed that earliest method of
celebration was orthodox because people during that days used to refrain
themselves from any physical pleasures, used to fast for several days to please
the crops of sun god. Communities of Peru during the time of festival called
for a sacrifice of llamas to honor sun god.
During the call of late 15th
century viceroy Toledo restricted Inti Raymi as a part of contrary to the
Catholic faith and again the celebration as a part of their ancestral
association was revived in 20th century. At present the rituals used
during the time of ancient celebration are same and the norms again are virtue
of their old tradition.
When
It Is Celebrated
The festival of Inti Raymi
is celebrated officially in 24th June of every year as winter
solstice but the actual commemoration starts from the 21st of June.
How
It Is Celebrated
Since we understand that
it is one of the traditional festivals of the local people so it is marked by
series of events. During day time you will witness expositions in streets like
street dance and street fairs while in evening they gather to enjoy the musical
concert which is performed by number of renowned local artiste.
The main part of the
festival is convocation of Sapa Inca in Qorikancha after his invocation he
urges for blessings and later he is escorted in golden throne to the ancient
fortress of Sacsayhuamá. During this advent numbers of people follows the crowd
to participate in procession. The son of sun is accompanied by high priest and
jewels of his court. Once all the dignitaries are sedated in their respective
throne the Sapa Inca climbs the square of the fortress and preaches the word of
wisdom.
After his inspiring words
the llama is sacrificed as a part of tradition and then high priest holds the
heart of the llama and professes the glory of future. Once the dying ray of sun
starts to sinks at its destined horizon people starts to dance around the open
spaces and walks back their procession to the streets of Cuzco.
Main
Activities
The magnitude of this
festival is a joy of celebration which is exhibited on the streets by the local
people. The festival as it marks the beginning of the New Year for the local
people the enthusiasm and the energy which is carried out by the devotee is worth
noticing.
Where
All It Is Celebrated
The festival is officially
celebrated at the streets of Peru to be more precise it is put into show from
the walks of Cuzco to the open spaces of ancient fortress of Sacsayhuamá.
