In a spectacle that has become a beloved tradition in Mexico, thousands of tourists flocked to the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on Thursday to witness the Spring Equinox. As the sun cast its shadows on the pyramid’s steps, creating the iconic “descending serpent” image, visitors from around the world gathered in awe.
According to staff from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), an estimated 8,000 people entered the archaeological site on Thursday. However, authorities expect a much larger crowd tomorrow, with up to 12,000 visitors anticipated as March 21st is traditionally considered the best day to observe the equinox.
The INAH and Ministry of Culture have implemented a special Equinox program this year, which will run until Sunday. This allows visitors to witness the archaeoastronomical phenomenon during its peak periods.
Meanwhile, at another nearby archaeological site in Yucatan, Dzibilchaltun, the cloudy skies marred the experience for some tourists who were unable to fully appreciate the equinox as it occurred early in the morning.
In a separate incident, two foreign tourists managed to evade security and climb to the top of the El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza. The pair took advantage of the relatively small crowd and security team’s focus on coordinating visitor departures towards the end of the equinox event. Authorities were quick to intervene, taking the visitors down and handing them over to ministerial authorities.
The incident has raised concerns about safety and respect for Mexico’s cultural heritage sites. Article 55 of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones establishes fines ranging from 200 to 1,000 days of the current minimum wage for such offenses.
As tourists were removed from the area, some visitors expressed their displeasure with the actions of the two individuals, showering them with shouts and insults. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and adhering to rules and regulations in place to protect these sites.
Source: El Universal
