The pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Mr. de Qoyllur Riti takes place every year in the month of May or June, the date is not exact due to the Andean calendar, but it is between these two months ..
The inhabitants of the district of Ocongate (Quispicanchis), in the department of Cusco, perform a ritual whose external symbol is the image of Christ, but its underlying purpose is the integration of man with nature, the people of this place are devotees of the Taytacha Qoyllur Rit’i (The Lord of the Shining Snow). This is an ancient religious custom only practiced by the inhabitants of the Andes. Every year, a few days before the celebration of Corpus Christi, each small town or clan sends a delegation of colorful dancers and “pabluchas” to the Chapel of the Lord of Qoyllur ritty.
The ritual, associated with the fertility of the land and the worship of the Apus (hills, tutelary gods), is part of one of the largest Native American festivals in America. The main ceremony takes place at the foot of the Ausangate mountain, the ritual consists of a pilgrimage of shepherds, merchants and onlookers who meet at the sanctuary of Sinakara in the village of Mawayany, at 4600 meters above sea level.
The Qoyllurit’i festival brings together more than 10,000 pilgrims each year, many of them from rural communities in nearby areas
The central day after doing the ritual at sunrise comes down from the snow covered caravan headed by the Calvary towards the sanctuary; hours later the central mass is carried out later the procession of Mr. de Ccoyllorritti represented by Mr. de Tayancani, concludes with the farewell of each comparsa giving chants or (Watascama) to the gentleman finally they return towards the population of Mahuayani, soon to embark to their places of origin.
The end of the procession takes place in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco with the processions of Corpus Christi, the streets and squares are full of people, music and color.