Travelogues  
Adventures in the Yucatan – 2
by Subra Narayan

The precision of the architectural grandiose meant that it was used as a marker of time and seasons.  During the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun enters the top of the pyramid and slithers down the western steps much like a snake would.  The bottom of the pyramid shows the carving of a snake head with its mouth open and this represents Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent.  The four sides of the pyramid represent the four directions and contain ninety one steps each.  Adding the topmost base to the steps of the four sides gives it a grand total of 365, which is the total number of days in a year.   This alone should tell us how advanced the Mayans were! 

Another significance of the pyramid is that during the summer and winter solstices, the sun falls on top of the pyramid in such a way that it illuminates only two sides, attesting to the advanced architectural, engineering and astronomical knowledge of the Mayans.  It was a little disappointing to learn from our guide that going up the steps is no longer allowed, as this has led to erosion and weathering over the years. 

As we headed to the ballcourt, it was amazing to imagine yourself during a ball game very much like soccer that was played by the Mayans who dressed themselves in full gear and had to hit the ball through a ring on top of the walls.  The losing team ended up being decapitated as illustrated by the carvings on the walls.  The game was watched by the residents of Chichen including the high priest and other priests from the neighboring cities like Uxmal, Tulum, Coba.

One of the mysteries surrounding the Maya is that if they were so advanced and civilized, then how come they also entertained themselves in barbaric rituals.  A general theory is that during the later Classic period, with the advent of the Toltecs, the act of violence became commonplace. The Toltec influence can be seen all over Chichen mainly in the form of the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl and the Chac-Mool, which is depicted as a crouched human figure with a flat belly on which sacrifices were offered. 

– Continued

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

 
Analysis | Architecture | Astrology | Ayurveda | Book Reviews | Buddhism | Cartoons | Cinema | Computing | Culture | Dances
Environment | Fables | Family Matters | Festivals | Hinduism | Health | History | Home Remedies | Humor | Individuality | Jagoji
Literary Shelf | Memoirs | Musings | Opinion | Parenting | Perspective | Photo Essays | Places | Ramblings
Random Thoughts | Recipes | Sikhism | Society | Spirituality | Stories | Teens | Travelogues | Vastu | Vithika | Women

Home | Bolography | BoloKids | Columns | Hindi | Kabir | Poetry | Quotes | Workshop | Writers | Contribute | Search | Contact

Boloji.com includes IndiaNest.com and PoeticNest.com
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
No part of this Internet site may be reproduced without prior written permission of the copyright holder.