Every year on June 24th, the great Inti Raymi takes place in Cusco. The is the biggest celebration of the Sun God Inti since the Inca times.
A Festival is an organized series of events celebrated by a community. The world is surrounded by diverse religions, ethnicity, and culture, traditions, norms, and values which are followed by a segment of society each of them distinctive from others.
A Festival is a celebration marked with a gathering of people along with feasting, ceremonies, music concerts, dancing, poetry, and photography. A large number of festivals are observed by different communities all over the globe.
Peru is a nation with rich and special cultural events. Inti Raymi is one of the most engrossing, worthy, traditional, and religious festivals celebrated in Cusco.
Inti Raymi – Festival of the Sun is a religious ceremony held in honor of God of the Sun. It is considered the most significant ceremony amongst the four ceremonies of Cusco.
According to Inca tradition, The Inti Raymi was created by the Inca Pachacútec in 1430 AC to celebrate the first day of New Year in the particular Inca calendar. It is a religious celebration of the Incan Sun King (most revered god in Inca religion), Inti, and Pachamama, Mother Earth.
24th of June – the shortest day of the year, celebrates the Inca Festival of the sun during the winter solstice of the southern hemisphere. On this day sun is farthest away from Earth and people start celebrating this to keep the memory alive.
Approximately 25,000 people, including actors, dancers, and musicians – typically dressed well, perform different activities outside the Qoricancha complex, Sacsayhuaman, and in the Plaza of Arms of the city.
There are many speeches delivered during the festival spoken in Quechua, an ancient Incan language. Quechua is a unifying and widely spoken language in Peru. It is one of three official languages in Peru.
There is no official seating for viewing the festivities at Korikancha, only public standing room. The festivities take place in the gardens outside of Korikancha which is located along one of Cusco’s principle roads – Avenida El Sol. Locals arrive early (early hours of the morning) to the best viewing spots.
Nearly all of Plaza de Armas is cordoned off for the festivities, with just space in the colonial arcades around the outside of the plaza available for public viewing. Due to the limited viewing areas in the plaza, on looking spectators can often form crowds of 4 or 5 people deep to catch a glimpse of the action. The best vantage points are found on second floor balconies in the many bars, cafes and restaurants surrounding the plaza. If you plan to view Inti Raymi from a balcony, make sure that you contact the bar owner a few days before to guarantee your spot.
Many local Peruvians who cannot afford the high prices of the grandstand seating within the grounds of Saqsayhuman choose to watch Inti Raymi from two hills that overlook the festivities. One is located within the park of Saqsayhuman and the other is adjacent just outside the park perimeter. Although the main ruins of Saqsayhuman are closed to visitors during the day of Inti Raymi, general entrance to the surrounding hills (within the park) are free to all foreign and local visitors. Be warned that both hills get very crowed from early in the morning, many hours before the festivities take place. Go prepared with something to sit on, plenty of food, liquid refreshment and sun protection. Arrive at as early as 8am to get the best viewing spots.
Grandstand seating within the arena of Saqsayhuman is the best option to watch Inti Raymi. These seats are premium seats and are sold on a first come first served basis. There are two price bands for Inti Raymi Tickets: Orange and Blue seating (the best) which costs US$ 140 per adult* and the slightly cheaper Green seating which costs US$ 100 per adult*, a 50 % reduction applies for children under 12 years old. For the best and most informative experience it is always best to go with a guided or as part of an organised tour group.
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