| Magical Spring Cleaning in Cozumel |
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| Tuesday, 27 March 2007 | |
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Spring equinox celebrated at San Gervasio Ruins in Cozumel. Hundreds of people gathered at San Gervasio ruins in Cozumel on Wednesday March 21st, to celebrate the Vernal (Spring) Equinox. This significant date - when the length of day is exactly equal to night - is of historic religious importance to the Mayans and other American cultures.
The rituals were presided over by internationally renowned Mexican shaman, Heliodoro Benavides, who came to the island especially for the event. The dancing and chanting ceremonies are believed to clean and strengthen the spirit. They were used to ask Mother Earth to protect the people of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo in the year ahead. San Gervasio is the most important Mayan archeological site on Cozumel Island. The religious center was built as sanctuary to the Goddess Ixchel. It was obligatory for all Mayas to visit once in their lifetime on a type of pilgrimage. The ruins aren't as big and impressive as those on the mainland at Chichen Itza or Tulum, but the park still makes for a fascinating cultural and historical experience.
The site takes its name from the agricultural and cattle ranch “San Gervasio” which was founded by Mr. Gervasio Novelo on September 14th 1858. The original name is unknown, but is believed that it could have been “Tan Tun” (Over Rock)
Facilities: bilingual guides, snack bar, bookstore, handcraft stores, parking and bathrooms.
See exclusive Spring Equinox 2007 photo gallery Story from Cozumel website This is Cozumel - news, tours, attractions, restaurants, beaches, places to stay, real estate and more. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. Comments (0)
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The event took place in front of the Pyramid of Ixchel - the temple of the Mayan Goddess of the Moon and Fertility, seen by many as the local embodiment of Mother Earth or pachamama.The ceremonies saw an interesting mixture of ancient Mexica and Mayan traditions, as well as more modern Catholic influences. The Spring Equinox is also celebrated at Chichen Itza Mayan ruins on the mainland, where the alignment of the sun causes a shadow in the form of a serpent to appear on the steps of the main pyramid.
During the post-classic period (1200-1530) it became the biggest and most important site in the Island of Cozumel. At the central square you will find the most important temples.Nine buildings form an enclosed patio from where three roads connect with other squares. In this area there are the most important aquifers of the island and an abundance of cenotes. It is located off the cross-island road in the central-northern portion of the island.
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