Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is the metaphysical mother lode. It means ‘Old Peak’ in Quechua, the native language. Machu Picchu resonates with all body chakras, as it links with all Earth energy centers. Tucked away, deep within the jungle of Urubamba Valley, between two higher mountains on a graben (a block of the mountain that has dropped downward). Its base is bordered on three sides by the tumultuous Urubamba River.
Considered the best conserved city of the Incan Empire, a couple of factors account for its remarkable preservation. Buildings were constructed using the “ashlar” process, which means cut, inter-locking stones (many weighing 50-tons) precluding using mortar.
Also, in the 1500s, when Peru was invaded by the Spanish, they
Visualize a world of its own, in a coverlet of pristine white clouds and flanked by the healing greenness of two high mountains. Then think of all the adjectives you’ve ever known to describe beauty. You’ll be close, but not quite. Let’s just say Machu Picchu is as beautiful as it is spiritually enlightening.
No ‘wonder’ Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the World!
Exploring Machu Picchu
Sacred Intihautana Stone
The ancient Incas were sun worshippers. The Intihautana Stone, aka Hitching Post of the Sun, was used when they performed rituals and also served as an astronomic calendar. At noon on summer and winter solstices, the sun hovers over the monument. During solstice rituals, Inca priests ‘tied’ the sun to the Intihautana stone with a sacred cord.
Shamans in Peru say if you touch your forehead to the stone, your will attain enlightenment.
Temple of the Sun
The Temple of the Sun is an ancient sanctuary and the single curved structure on Machu Picchu. Its purpose was to pay homage to Inti , or the sun. During winter solstice, the sun beams through the window and lights the enormous stone altar, in the center of the
Only priests were permitted inside. Legends have it the priests conducted their rituals and performed sacrifices on the altar.
Interestingly, various small holes on its back wall are thought to have once been plugged with gemstones. Contemporary scholars have dubbed it the ‘window of the serpent’.
Temple of Three Windows
The Temple of Three Windows aka the Room of the Three Windows was erected on the Sacred Plaza. The three-walled, rectangular structure showcases three ginormous, trapezoidal windows aligned with sunrise. Nor surprise here. Since Incans were Masters of Astrology, all the structures within the fortress were positioned to align with the rising sun or the Universe.
A rectangular stone is in the center of this temple, which was used for surveying the solar system from the back end. Legends say that the three windows exemplify the three chief aspects of the Incan civilization: Spirituality – the sky, the mundane - the planet’s surface and the inner-life - Earth’s subsoil.
Final Word
At the end of the day, nothing will soothe your weary bones more than a therapeutic soak in the thermal hot springs of Machu Picchu at Aquas Calientes (meaning waters hot). The waters hot rise surface from underground hot sulfur