1. The observatory

2. The castillo or castle

3. Group of 1000 pillars

This is Chichen Itza which is Mayan(Classical Period) pyramid site. Only recently it has been added to the Seven wonders of the world. Like teotihuacan(refer my previous blog) this pyramid is also thought to have different purposes. It used as a religious site and the structure of the pyramids were also made keeping in mind the astrological or astronomical events like Equinox. The pyramid is thought to have represented Mayan Calendar and during equinox there is shadow play of ascending and descending KuKulKan(Serpent God) in its staircase for which this site earned its Seven wonder title. The site has 8 major architechture marvel namely Pyramid of kukulkan, Ball court, group of 1000 pillars,El Caracol or the observatory site, The Nunnery, Temple of Jaguars and 2 cenotes which are considered to have witnessed many human sacrifices as offering to God. Like all mesoamerican pyramids the main Palace or Tomb of Kukulkan has larger pyramids built over smaller pyramids. During excavation an inside chamber was found to have the statue of the Mayan rain God Chac Mool and a Jaguar throne with inlaids of Jade. The pyramid is step pyramid with 91 steps at 4 sides and total number of stairs add to 365 representing Mayan calendar year or Haab. It is widely believed that Mayans used to desert civilizations and cities according their own will and the calender specifications. Caracol has inner stairways resembling snail. Its windows are oriented at 4 cardinal directions and also according to equinox. Mayans were obsessed with astronomical observations and had built pyramids according to such events.The Ball Courts were seen in almost all mesoamerican pyramids. It has great acoustics. Sounds at one end can be heard at the other end of 40mt ball court. Only the aristocrats were allowed to attend and the losing team captain was either to believed to have been sacrificed or the winning team is given some animal sacrifice. It was prestigious game at that time. The 1000 pillars site depicts 1000 warriors and it is very similar to Toltec pyramid in Tula.

Mayans had their own writing in the form of glyphs and lots of information were gathered from these glyphs written on the stone tablets.Chichen Itza is located only at 3 hours drive from the city of Cancun. It is one of the largest pyramid site in Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.There is light and sound show at 7:00p.m