THE PYRAMID OF KUKULKAN, TINUM MEXICO

The Pyramid of Kukulkan 

By Henry Libo-on

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When you hear the name Kukulcan what images crop up in your mind? Honestly, I have no recollections of any image of him just his name Kukulcan. Is he a Warrior, a Supernatural Being, or what? We grew up in the Philippines, we read comics about Zuma (an Aztec superhero), Darna, Superman, Captain America, and many others but nothing about Kukulcan.  So, when our Tour Guide Noe told us a story about Kukulcan, that was the first time I learned about him. So, I asked Mr. Google and this is what I got.  Kukulcan was not only an Ancient Maya Deity but was also depicted in a Marvel Comics as a powerful being. 

A Selfie with the Pyramid of Kukulcan in the background. 

Chichen Itza, Tinum, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

How my trip began? 

Several weeks before the Fall Equinox, I went on a guided tour of the Ancient Maya City of Chichen Itza in the Municipality of Tinum, Yucatan State, Mexico.  This tour happened because I was billeted at the Crown Paradise Club in the Hotel Zone of Cancun when I decided to make a side trip to the Pyramid of Kukulcan.  So, I asked the Front Desk of the hotel to help me arrange a tour of Chichen Itza.  

In short, I got a package tour for $79.00 courtesy of Tsa and Nick, which included a tour of the Hacienda Selva Maya Cenote (see note) or Sinkhole, the Chichen Itza, and an opportunity to see the countrysides of the northern part of Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula.  

The Bus picked me up at the hotel at 7:00 a.m.  There were approximately 35 of us on the Bus which is also furnished with a restroom. 

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The photo was taken at the Pyramid of Kukulkan, Chichen Itza, Mexico. 

At Selva Maya Cenote

Photos by Henry Libo-on,  Touristang Pobre. 

My Comment: Sorry. Some photos I posted were from my cellphone and these photos do not stay long when published. Thus, creating a blank square on the page. Thanks. 

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Our First Stop - Hacienda Selva Maya Cenote.

Location.  

Hacienda Selva Maya is located at Carretera Federal Valladolid-Merida

Km. 3.5, Engronque a Dzitnup, 97780

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico. 

What to do at Selva Maya? 

My purpose in visiting this place is to see for myself what a Cenote or a Sinkhole is like.  I have seen a few pictures of the Sinkhole from different Bloggers, and I wish to see one. We were given one hour to see the place.  The story of my visit to this Sinkhole is now a Blog which you can read here at Touristang Pobre Blogsite.  Just go to the Home Page and search for that story. 

Our Second Stop - Chichen Itza. 

Pyramid of Kukulkan, Photo by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre

Location.  

Chichen Itza is a Pre-Columban City built by the Mayan People. 

It is located in the municipality of Tinum, Yucatan State,

Mexico.

Our tour guide by the name of Noah or Noe for short, informed us that Chichen Itza is about two hours from Cancun.  Tinum is located in the Northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula.  It is where the ruins of the Ancient City of the Mayas the City of Chichen Itza are located. By the way, it is not Chicken Itza as some people erroneously pronounced nor is it Chicken Pizza.  It is Chichen Itza. 

Wikipedia describes Chichen Itza as "The Maya name "Chichen Itza" means "At the mouth of the well of the Itza." This derives from chi', meaning "mouth" or "edge," and ch'en or ch'e'en, meaning "well." Itzá is the name of an ethnic-lineage group that gained political and economic dominance of the northern peninsula. One possible translation for Itza is "enchanter (or enchantment) of the water,"^[5] from its, "sorcerer," and ha, "water."^{[6]  (Source:  The Wikipedia).} 

According to Mark Cartwright (2014), this ancient city, which was significantly influenced by the Toltec Civilization, an ancient civilization that occurred in Mexico thousands of years ago, must have flourished between c. 750 and 1200 CE.  That civilization left behind a rich monumental architecture and sculpture which projected a great city and people. 

What to see at Chichen Itza?

There are so many ancient ruins that can be seen in Chichen Itza. I tried to explore as much as I could because our guide, Noe, informed us that we only have three (3) hours to explore the vast Maya ruins complex.  

1.  THE PYRAMID OF KUKULKAN

Who is Kukulkan?  It is the name assigned to the Maya Snake Deity.  He was known as the Plumed Snake.  Sometimes Kukulkan is also associated with Quetzalcoatl.  Kukulkan is one of the three (3) gods that was thought to have created the Earth.  He is a serpent in his natural form and was responsible for teaching the Mayas about such things as how to run a civilization, agriculture, and medicine.  (Source: www.bibliotecapleyades.net). 

Quetzalcoatl as depicted in the Codex Telleriano-Remensis. (Source:en.wikipedia.org)

Quetzalcoatl in Feathered Serpent form as depicted in the Codex Telleriano-Remensis.  
(Source: en.wikipedia.org). 

 According to www.atlasobscura.com "The Pyramid of Kukulcan (also known as El Castillo, a name given by the Spanish Conquistadors) is central of Chichen Itza, it was built over a pre-existing temple*** between 800 and 900 AD. It is the biggest pyramid in Chichen Itza; at its base 53.3 meters wide on all four sides. It towers above the other monuments at 24 meters tall with a 6-meter temple on top of the highest platform. Before the tourists have access to the throne room and they could climb to the top and, on a clear day, see the top of the grand pyramid at the nearby ruin site of Ek Balam. But now, going to the top is restricted."

Photo by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre.

***Pre-existing Temple - It means that there was a small pyramid inside this big pyramid. Was it used as a burial site for a Ruler, a King or a High Priest of that Kingdom a long time ago? Our tour guide Noe further said that it could be possible that a Pyramid that tourists see outside may have more than one smaller pyramids inside built on top of each other. 

Source: www.allposters.com (Thanks).

THE PYRAMID OF KUKULCAN, THE MAYA CALENDAR, AND THE SPRING AND FALL EQUINOX

The Mesoamerican fascination with, and knowledge of, math and astronomy shines when examining the details of its architecture. Each of the four sides has ninety-one steps ascending it, 364 steps total, with the temple topping the pyramid considered an addition step totaling 365, each step representing a day in the calendar. Additionally, the pyramid’s nine stages, bisected by a staircase on each side, represent the eighteen months of the Maya Calendar year. The pyramid was built to be a physical representation of the Maya Calendar (the same calendar that predicts the end of the world in 2012)*, while its orientation, slightly North East, is believed to have been calculated in order to create the phenomenon known as the “Descent of Kukulcan”. This phenomenon is recreated nightly (artificially) during the Light and Sounds Show at 7pm in the winter and 8pm in the summer.  Chich’en Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Source: www.atlasobscura.com).
*Actually, it is not the end of the world but, according to our tour guide Noe, it is the end of the Maya Calendar Cycle. For more information about the Maya Calendar, please google this link, thanks - https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/mayan.html   

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According to www.cancunadventure.net, there are 5 things that we should know about the phenomenon called Chichen Itza Equinox.  These are: 

1. People tend to believe when Kukulcan returns to Earth, it is to provide a blessing for a full harvest and good health to his worshipers.

2. An illusion of light and shadow creates seven triangles on the side of the staircase that it connects the top platform with the giant stone head of the feathered serpent at the bottom.

This picture shows the Kukulcan or the feathered serpent descending from the top of the pyramid.  On the left side of the pyramid, you can see seven (7) triangles on the side of the staircase that is the body of the snake descending from the top with its head at the bottom of the pyramid, pictured below.  This is how crowded the Chichen Itza is during the observance of the Equinox. (Picture was borrowed from www.askideas.com 2016)   

3. This phenomenon stayed entirely around forty-five minutes before slowing descending the pyramid and disappearing along with the crowd that gathered to see it.

Photo borrowed from Ask Ideas Dot Com 2016 (www.askideas.com) 

4. The pyramid was built as a representation of the Mayan Calendar

5. You can visit Chichen Itzá to admire the recreated phenomenon nightly (artificially) during the Chichen Itza Light and Sounds Show all year.

If you have the time, you must watch this event, the descend of Kukulcan from the pyramid to join his people for an abundant harvest. 

2. THE GRAND BALL COURT

This Ball Court is measuring 146 x 36 meters and according to www.ancient.eu, it is the biggest in Mesoamerica at that time. It was believed to have been constructed between 1050 and 1200 CE (Mark Cartwright, 2014). This Ball Game was featured in Disney's Cartoon with the title Elena of Avalor. 

 Please take note that the Ball must hit the hip, and the player must exert some force to hit the ball so it can reach the goal located high on the side of the wall.  

Photos by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre. 

The Goal is attached to the left side of the high wall. Did you see it? (Source: jonistraveling.com) 

The view of the whole court. Just imagine the Maya players dynamically playing this game. 

3.  THE TEMPLE OF THE WARRIORS 

According to www.mexicoarcheology.com (archaeology), the Great Temple of the Warriors "is a spectacular structure comprised of a series of impressive columns, spacious patios, and halls. Built by Toltec conquerors in 950 AD, the building is similar to that of the main structure in the Toltec’s home city of Tula. 

Maya Warriors capturing the prisoners of war for sacrifices. 

(Source: Mark Beerdom at www.pinterest.com and images.search.yahoo.com)

The ruins of the Temple of the Warriors.  Photo by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre.

The temple is made with four platforms: 200 round and square columns on the south and west sides. Like many of the pyramids and other buildings in the Mayan world, the Temple of the Warriors shows evidence of being built over a preexisting structure. The building spans 40 meters (131 feet) wide. The square columns are carved with images of Toltec warriors; you still see some traces of the paint. The columns held a roof likely made of palm and grass." (www.mexicoarcheology.com)

Chac Mool, Chichen Itza, Mexico. Source: https://www.bing.com

You can no longer climb the stairs, but at the top is a beautiful Chac Mool. Chac Mool was considered messengers of the Gods and used to hold religious offerings in the upraised flat plate area on the figure’s stomach. Some speculate this was where beating hearts of the sacrificial victims were placed as a spectacle for the crowds below in the plaza. (www.mexicoarcheology.com)

There are two carved pillars just behind the Chac Mool which represent Kukulcán. The voracious serpent has its mouth open and is adorned with rattles. Astronomical signs decorate the eyes. 

4.  THE VENUS PLATFORM

Venus Platform

Photo by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre

This platform is dedicated to the planet Venus. In one of the sides of this platform is a relief of a Serpent Bird Man which is believed to be a Quetzalcoatl - Kukulcan representation as a "Morning Star".  (www.chichenitza.com). 

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According to some writers, there are two Venus Platforms in the Ruins Complex. Its podium like structure is believed to have been used for ceremonies, dances, and rites. 

Photos by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre

5.  THE TEMPLE OF THE JAGUARS

The Temple of the Jaguars is believed to be dedicated to the fiercest members of the Maya Army the "Jaguar Knights".  These warriors were experts in hand-to-hand combat using wooden clubs tipped with obsidian knives, made of volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. 

Source: (www.dkfindout.com and images.search.yahoo.com)

They covered themselves with armor made of Jaguar skins and used helmets of Jaguar heads.  The figures of Jaguars in the Temple represented the Warriors who were often charged with obtaining prisoners for sacrifice to the Gods. (www.chichenitza.com).

    

Inside the Pyramid, you can find a red-colored Jaguar Throne probably used by the Maya High Priest or Maya Ruler at that time. Unfortunately, the entry to the Pyramid had been restricted. 

            

6.  THE SAGRADO CENOTE

This Cenote (see note) or Sinkhole is sacred to the Mayas.  It is a source of water and also served as a place for human sacrifice.  About a century ago, archaeologists and researchers have taken jade and gold ornaments, human skeletons, and many others from the bottom of the sinkhole. The water in this Sinkhole or Cenote is eutrophic, meaning, there is a presence of rich minerals and nutrients that cause algal blooms that also results in the depletion of oxygen level.  So, this explains why the color of the water in this Sinkhole or Cenote is green. 

Cenote at Chichen Itza.

Photo by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre.

7.  THE MARKETPLACE AND THE SOUVENIR SHOPS 

I love the interaction between ancient vibes and modern life.  Noe mentioned that there are around 1,200 vendors within the huge Chichen Itza complex. 

8.  THE VISITOR CENTER

After presenting our Tickets, Noe led the way to the ruins. As far as Chichen Itza is concerned, Noah or Noe is a walking encyclopedia of the Maya history. 

Each tourist is given two tickets, one for the Entrance or Entrada and the other piece for the Exit or Salida. 

9.  THE ARRIVAL AND PARKING AREAS

There is enough parking area for both bus and cars. 

The arrival area and the entrance to the Pyramid of Kukulkan or the holy site of Chichen Itza. 

10.  THE LUNCH AT PUEBLO MAYA RESTAURANT

The food is great.  You can choose between Cocina Internacional and Cocina Regional.  I prefer Cocina Internacional.  The lunch is part of the tour package, but I bought my soda. They accept the U.S. Dollar. 

All photos by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre.
 

Pueblo Maya Restaurant is located along the main road. 

Across the restaurant is the road leading to the ancient Mayan settlement called Chichen Itza, it is not Chicken Pizza guys, lol. 

At the center of this settlement is the ancient Pyramid of Kukulkan. 

We were entertained by the personnel of the restaurant who performed a local dance. 

After our lunch, I went to the hammock to rest a bit.  

Photo sourced from - pueblomaya.com
After the heavy meal, I have no choice but to occupy one of the hammocks and started my trip to the Dreamland.  When I wake up, I was surprised to find myself at the foot of the Pyramid of Kukulcan!  Just kidding.  I don't want to jog or walk going to the ancient city of the Mayas, I have to get up and ride our Bus...haha.

My trip to Chichen Itza was the first adventure I made in Mexico and in South America.  It opened my interest to explore more historical sites and places in the future. 

Now, after reading this story, I hope you love it and you are now probably planning a future trip to Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula and of course visit the Selva Maya, the Chichen Itza and other neighboring historical and archaeological sites in Mexico. 

Finally, if you find this story as entertaining and informative, please LIKE my Facebook Page and SHARE this story with your friends.  Thanks.  Adios...hasta la vista Bebe, (say it like Arnold Schwarzenegger).  

My Maya Warrior friend is an expert in using the Selfie Stick which has a Bluetooth.haha...

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I LOVE THE MAYAS.  I LOVE MEXICO

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By the way, I have given you some ideas on what to do to make this tour possible, right?  Let me repeat, please coordinate with your hotel front desk that you are interested to participate in this Tour.  You have the Bus, Lunch and the Entrance Tickets included in your tour. Gracias. 

*All photos by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre, except those duly recognized and acknowledged as coming from secondary sources like the Wikipedia, and Yahoo Dot Com.

*Thank you. 

BONUS PICTURES:

These pictures were taken from the Selva Maya Cenote earlier in this tour. 

I want to swim in this sinkhole or cenote to the locals. I'm just worried about its depth that goes to several meters deep. Besides, we were given one hour only to tour the whole pyramid complex, so I just took a Selfie. 

Photos taken from Selva Maya also known as Hacienda Selva Maya. This resort features its famous sinkhole called locally as Cenote. My visit was done during the earlier part of this tour of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. 

Updated on March 3, 2019.

Updated on February 2, 2022, or - 2-2-22.

Reviewed on May 30, 2023. 

Updated on September 19, 2023.