The ancient cities of the Maya have an air of mystery whenever you visit them during a Cancun vacation, but for many travelers, a trip to the World Heritage Site of Chichen Itza in September at the time of the fall Equinox offers even more wonders.
On September 22, the day of the fall Equinox, the Pyramid of Kukulcan or El Castillo that dominates the Great Plaza at Chichen Itza, reveals its secret. In ancient times, it was literally a solar clock and calendar, the focus of rituals and ceremonies as priests and rulers marked the passage of the seasons and worshipped the gods.
The pyramid is aligned to catch the rays of the setting sun on the days of the spring and fall equinoxes in March and September. Triangles of light and shadow appear along the side of the north staircase forming the rippling body of a snake. This figure merges with the head of a stone serpent at the foot of the building, creating the illusion of a gigantic reptile coming down from the sky and slithering across the ground towards the Sacred Cenote.
The snake symbolizes Kukulcan (also known as Quetzalcoatl in central Mexico), the feathered serpent god, returning to earth to give hope to his followers and heralding the spring planting and fall harvest seasons for the Maya.
The snake of light and shadow is also visible the day before and after the equinox, cloud cover permitting. It leaves you amazed by the skill of the ancient temple builders and astronomers of Chichen Itza.
Plan your visit to Chichen Itza
Thomas More Travel offers several day trips to Chichen Itza, check the website for details or visit the travel desk in the lobby of your resort.
An alternative is to rent a car and explore the eastern Yucatan at your own pace, calling in at the colonial town of Valladolid.