Chichen Itza, Mexico: Of Sun, Symbols And Sacrifice

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear ‘Mexico’? Is it food, tequila or the infamous drug cartels? Well, here’s a word you might not have thought of – Mayans.

 

One of the greatest archaeological sites, Chichen Itza in Yucatan Peninsula, is one of the best gifts to the modern world. The well-preserved ancient ruins at the UNESCO World Heritage Site are made entirely of stone. A wealth of knowledge, they depict over 1,000 years of fascinating history.

I hope this virtual tour inspires you to visit one of the new Seven Wonders of the World for real. Let the magic unfold!

Stars, Snakes and 365 Steps

 

Our journey begins with El Castillo, the most prominent step pyramid with a total of 365 steps, 91 each on all four sides, leading to the summit. Of all the ancient societies and civilizations, Mayans were quite advanced when it came to astronomy.

What’s fascinating is that 365 is the number of days in a solar year and 91 is the number that separates the solar cycle into four equal parts (two equinoxes and two solstices). At spring and fall equinoxes, the sun’s light and shadow patterns create an illusion of a snake’s body! The castle that looms 79 feet above the ground is the masterpiece of Chichen Itza in Mexico.

Travel Trivia: Don’t forget to clap in front of El Castillo and hear an echo that resembles the chirp of Quitzalcoatl, a feathered serpent deity.

Tales Of The Skies

 

El Caracol might not be as grand as El Castillo, but walk up the winding staircase to the uppermost tower and you’re in for a surprise. There are three openings which can be used as viewing windows and are aligned with heavenly bodies such as Venus.

Travel Trivia: An interesting thing to note here is that the Aztecs (1100 AD), who came after the Mayans, mistook the morning and evening stars as being different. Mayans, with the help of the observatory, tracked the cycle of Venus and accurately predicted it to be both!

Of Glory And Ruins

 

Rows of carved columns depicting warriors greet you as you enter the Temple of Warriors. A classic Mayan monument, it has a broad stairway that leads up to the top with serpent columns guarding the temple on either side. These were decorated with astronomical signs and other features.

Also known as the Temple of the Thousand Columns, it is home to a stone which, according to legend, is where human hearts were offered to gods.

Travel Trivia: The temple leads to Chac-Mool, a sculpted human figure with a bowl on his stomach and head tilted towards the heaven. Legend has it that this was a symbol of offering to god.

The Gift Of Human Sacrifice

 

Human sacrifices were not uncommon in the Mayan civilization, if legend is to be believed. A 22-metre deep and 60-metre wide well called Sacred Cenote is perhaps the most prominent example of the same.

From six-feet tall warriors to children, remains of humans have been found in this natural sinkhole during excavations over the years. While some say that human sufferings were made to Chaac, the Mayan God of Water, others claim that it was a place of pilgrimage.

Travel Trivia: There are over 10,000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, with Mayans considering them as doors to the underworld.

How To Get There?

Rent a car ($ 80-100) and take a 2-hour drive from Cancun (you must be at least 25 years old with a valid driver’s license). Alternatively, you can book one of the Chichen Itza tours (approx. 450 pesos) from Cancun or Merida. Buses ply daily from here.