The most important festival in South America always attracts thousands of people to Cusco, the Inti Raymi, the festival that allows us to travel back in time.
A trip to the past that today is possible thanks to all the effort and desire that the people of Cusco have put into reviving the celebration of the Sun God, an entity that in ancient times was considered the supreme deity.
In the time of the Incas, the festival was called «Wawa Inti Raymi» and was held in different places in their territory, which included up to six countries: Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.
Today we are going to delve into Inti Raymi 2023 and all the essential dates to celebrate.
The meaning of Inti Raymi 2023
77 years have passed since the Inti Raymi was played for the first time and in 2023 we will remember the incredible cultural expression that revitalized the Inca Empire and became a cultural heritage of Peru since 2001.
Many years have passed since Inti Raymi and its importance continues to be a reason to continue celebrating a festivity that almost died out in Spanish times.
According to chroniclers of the time, such as Guamán Poma de Ayala and the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, the Inti Raymi festival was founded by the Inca Pachacútec in the fifteenth century.
At that time, the Incas called the sun god Apu Punchao or Apu Inti, and all worship was performed in his honor.
The tradition of the time corresponded to the cultural and religious side of the Incas, on June 21 the winter solstice was celebrated, a fundamental day to ask the stars for a better harvest and more food for the population.
Fifteen days of celebration, during which color, dances, gatherings and offerings were the order of the day.
With the arrival of the Spaniards, the festival was cancelled, the viceroyalty considered the Andean festivals as pagan festivals, contrary to the beliefs they preached in their churches.
Despite this, the Inti Raymi was celebrated in secret in places far from Spanish power, and today it can be savored in a more austere spectacle, which lasted far fewer days and without any sacrifice.
Today the celebration of Inti Raymi 2023
Until 2023, the Inti Raymi celebration is a large-scale representation of what was once the most important celebration of the Inca Empire.
More than 700 artists participate in which we will find a large number of professionals of all kinds to celebrate in style, with an Inca represented by a Cusqueño who receives the order as a consecration.
On June 24, the festival will take place in three different places in the city of Cusco, on the Esplanade of the Inca Temple of Coricancha, where the delegations of the four will be received; in the Plaza de Armas, where two worlds meet; and Sacsayhuamán, the main stage where the Fiesta del Sol takes place.
In each of the places we find a different celebration, some with more ceremonies than parties, but all of them represent something important because of the Inti Raymi.
What many do not know about the contemporary Inti Raymi is that it is also celebrated on the Day of Cusco, on June 24, since it was originally celebrated as the Day of India.
When it was proposed to begin the celebration, on June 24, 1944, the first event that we would have celebrated on this day in six centuries began.
Inti Raymi 2023 guests
As it is a Cusco celebration, the hosts and guests of honor are the people of Cusco, who will represent the Inti Raymi in each of its places, in each of its corners and in all its entertainment centers.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the most important festival of the year with the people of Cusco, enjoying the rites of chicha, the sacred fire, the sacrifice of the lama, omens, and the rite of sankhu , the sacred bread.
The most important moments of the Inti Raymi are lived in each of the places, and even more so when the moment of Q’ochurikuy arrives, the explosion of popular enthusiasm.
The event is aimed at all types of travelers, as a couple or as a family, you can really enjoy the staging and each of the attempts of the people of Cusco to show us culture and tradition.
The best thing about Cusco is that we can also take a panoramic tour in the city or outside, the number of tourist destinations makes the Inti Raymi an excuse.
A visit to Machu Picchu will always be welcome, for those who are still waiting for an invitation from heaven, in which case the Apu Inti takes care of itself.
Your ticket for Inti Raymi 2023
The best way to secure a spot at the next big party in Cusco is to contact an agency and tour operator like KUSKANDES TREK.
We are a group of professionals committed to providing the best service to all visitors looking for new experiences in Peru and Cusco is our specialty.
With us you have all the details and services you need to enjoy Inti Raymi 2023 or walk to new places.
The city of Cusco dresses up for a party, but even outside the city we can find different ways to live unique experiences for the most important Inca festival of the year.
