Inti Raymi – The Greatest Festival of the Tawantinsuyo
The Inti Raymi Festival is a majestic celebration of the Sun, held every year on June 24 in the imperial city of Cusco. It revives the grandeur of the Inca Empire through a ceremony that unites the past and present of Cusco. From the Qorikancha, where the offering to Pachamama begins, to the great Ushnu, the heart of the ritual, the Inca and the Qoya preside over dances, songs, and offerings from the four suyos in honor of the Sun God, Inti.
The symbolic sacrifice of the llama marks the renewal of the solar year and reaffirms the sacred bond between humans and nature. More than just a celebration, Inti Raymi is a living legacy of Andean identity, spirituality, and pride, illuminating the heart of Peru.
Declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2001, Inti Raymi stands today as a symbol of unity, historical continuity, and one of the pillars of Cusco’s and Peru’s cultural identity.
Tabla de Contenidos
Meaning and Origin
The term comes from the words “Inti” (Sun) and “Raymi” (Festival). Thus, Inti Raymi means Festival of the Sun.
The celebration was established around the year 1430 to mark the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.
When and where is the Inti Raymi celebrated?
Inti Raymi is celebrated mainly in Cusco, Peru, every June 24. The main ceremony takes place at the Saqsayhuamán fortress, with additional rituals at the Temple of Qorikancha and Cusco’s Main Square.
History of Inti Raymi
The Inti Raymi, the greatest festival of the Inca Empire, was held on June 24 in Cusco in honor of the Sun God, Inti. Although the solstice occurs on June 21, the High Priest set June 24 as the start of the Andean New Year, marking a new agricultural cycle. The ceremony reaffirmed the divine nature of the Sapa Inca, regarded as the son of the Sun and sacred mediator.
It was instituted by Inca Pachacútec, “the transformer of the world,” in the 14th century as part of his religious reform, with the Sun as the supreme deity.
The ceremony was held in the Hukaypata (Main Square of Cusco) and was preceded by nine days of rigorous rituals and fasting by the Inca nobility. During this time, the plaza became a magnificent ceremonial center adorned with gold ornaments, highlighting the central altar or Ushnu and sacred Kiswar wood figures symbolizing the divine connection. The Acllas (Virgins of the Sun) prepared Sankhu, the ceremonial bread, while noble lineages and Mallkis (mummies of ancestors) gathered to welcome the Sapa Inca carried in his golden litter.
The central act was the sacred toast, where the Inca offered chicha (corn beer) to the Sun God, symbolically sealing his union with his father, Inti, and expressing gratitude for the empire’s prosperity. It was a massive event involving the ayllus (clans), the imperial army, and representatives of the four suyos of the Tawantinsuyo. The climax was the Inca’s grand entrance, as the acllas spread flowers along his path and the pichaqs purified the way of bad energies. His divine power was represented by the kumillo, a hunchbacked dwarf carrying the Achiwa, a colorful feathered parasol symbolizing his royal status.
Despite the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, the Inca’s subjects preserved the Inti Raymi in secret as an act of faith and resistance, keeping their ancestral traditions alive under colonial repression.
First Interpreter of Inti Raymi
Faustino Espinoza Navarro was the first actor to play the Inca in the 1944 Inti Raymi and also the author of the Quechua script. For fourteen years, he embodied the Inca, standing out for combining historical accuracy and artistic expression, becoming an iconic figure of the celebration.
That same year, together with Quechua scholar Humberto Vidal Unda, Espinoza Navarro revived the Inti Raymi based on the chronicles of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, creating a modern reenactment of one of the most sacred ceremonies of the Inca Empire. On January 8, 1944, it was officially declared that the Inti Raymi and Cusco Day would be celebrated annually on June 24.
The Inti Raymi Ceremony
Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha)
The ceremony begins with the offering to Pachamama at Qorikancha. Musicians and representatives of the four suyos lead the procession, followed by the nobility, the Qoya, and finally the Inca, who presides over the solemn homage to the Sun God, marking the official start of the festival.
Main Square of Cusco (Huakaypata)
Here takes place the “Encounter of the Times” along with the Coca Leaf Ceremony, where the Inca and his entourage gather at the Ushnu, the sacred platform. The solar year is renewed through traditional rituals and prophetic readings by the Amautas (wise men). The four suyos enter, representing the diversity of the empire, while collective dances express unity and brotherhood among peoples. The event concludes with the symbolic act of the mayor of Cusco reporting to the Inca, linking the Inca past with the present city.
Main Esplanade (Saqsayhuamán)
Saqsayhuamán is the heart of Inti Raymi and the site of its main ceremony. The Inca and Qoya enter amidst dances and chants to the Sun God, while representatives of the four suyos perform their traditional dances and present offerings symbolizing unity and respect. The central ritual is the ceremonial sacrifice of a llama, offered by the Inca to the Sun in gratitude and as a plea for prosperity. The celebration concludes with the departure of the Inca, the Qoya, the nobility, and the delegations, closing the Inti Raymi with a message of spiritual renewal, harmony with nature, and continuity of the Inca legacy.
Importance
The Inti Raymi is the highest expression of the Inca cultural and spiritual legacy. Dedicated to the Sun God, it symbolizes the rebirth of the solar year and the renewal of life, fertility, and harmony with nature. More than a festival, it is an act of Andean identity and pride, preserving ancestral traditions and worldviews.
Promoted by the National Institute of Culture of Cusco (INC), its performance highlights its historical and spiritual value. Declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2001, Inti Raymi remains a symbol of unity, continuity, and cultural identity for both Cusco and Peru.
Conclusion
The Inti Raymi is far more than a cultural reenactment — it is the living manifestation of the Tawantinsuyo’s spirit and the highest expression of respect and gratitude to the Sun God, Inti, source of life and energy for the Andean people. Through this celebration, Cusco revives its imperial splendor, uniting past and present in a ceremony that reaffirms values of identity, unity, and harmony with nature.
From its foundation by Inca Pachacútec to its modern revival in 1944, the Inti Raymi has transcended centuries of history, resisting colonization and standing as a symbol of national pride. Today, recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation, it not only celebrates the rebirth of the Sun and the agricultural cycle, but also the enduring Inca legacy, reminding every generation of the deep spiritual connection between the Andean people, Pachamama, and the cosmos.
It is, without a doubt, a living testament to the greatness, wisdom, and cultural continuity of ancient Peru.
Contact us:
With Life Expeditions, your dream trip to Peru becomes a reality. Specialists in the Inca Trail and tailor-made packages, we take you to unique places such as:
Ready for a personalized adventure? Your adventure begins now!
