Inti Raymi

21 Jun 2012 - 24 Jun 2012
Place: Cusco and Sacsayhuaman

This festival began a long time ago during the Inca Empire and soon became their most important festival. It started as a religious ceremony for the God Inti. This day also marks the new year in the Andes and the winter solstice, which is where the name was derived since Inti Raymi means 'Festival of the Sun'.

The Incas believed that Inti was the Sun God and was the son of Viracocha, the creator of civilization. The Inti Raymi ceremony is celebrated at the end of the corn and potato season, to give thanks to the sun for the harvest and to ask for another successful season.

Some may ask why the festival is held on June 24th if the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere scientifically starts on June 21st. The Inca civilisation was very proficient with their uses of the sun and one reason was for a sundial. According to the Pacha Unachaq, the sun stays some days on the same spot before it rises on the 24th of June.

All celebrations were held in the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), the Aqllawasi and Wakaypata (now called the Plaza de Armas) and it began with a three day fast. This celebration would last for nine days and during this period it was forbidden to light fire or have sex.

For over 50 years the Inti Raymi festival has been celebrated in Cusco and at the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman since it was banned by Vinceroy Toledo in 1572. More than 500 actors help to recreate all the different stages of this ceremony.

Starting the week before and of course on June 24th, there will be many celebrations, live music and dances in the streets of Cusco.

The schedule for 2011 is the following: