More than 7,000 people visited Chichén Itzá during the equinox in Mexico — Mexico News Daily

More than 7,000 people visited the Chichén Itzá archaeological complex in the Mexican state of Yucatán during the autumn equinox. Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History recorded this number of visitors from Sunday through Tuesday, Mexico News Daily reports. On Monday and Tuesday, people gathered in the square in front of the large Pyramid of Kukulkan to see the light-and-shadow phenomenon.

Light forms the silhouette of a snake

Afternoon sunlight falls on the El Castillo pyramid, also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, at a certain angle. A silhouette of a snake appears on the wall of the structure’s northern balustrade, seemingly descending toward a carved snake head at the base of the pyramid.

The design features of El Castillo make it possible to see seven isosceles triangles of light, creating the impression of a moving snake. Such light-and-shadow phenomena, known as equinox hierophanies, usually last from 10 to 30 minutes.

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Clouds partially obscured the phenomenon

The institute organized special arrangements to receive tourists from Sunday, as the phenomenon was visible from Sunday through Tuesday. According to INAH, the moment of the equinox this year occurred on Monday at 15:51.

Autumn in this region begins before the end of the rainy season, so clouds often obscure the light-and-shadow effect. This time, there were clear spells in the cloud cover that allowed visitors to see the phenomenon.

The pyramid has nine tiers and a central staircase on each of its four sides. Each staircase has 91 steps, making 364 in total, and 365 together with the platform, corresponding to the length of the Maya civil year. INAH noted that the ancient Maya’s precise observations of the Sun’s movement and seasonal cycles were important for agriculture.