Chichén Itzá, Yucatán — More than 15,000 visitors gathered at the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá to witness the annual spring equinox phenomenon, where the setting sun creates the illusion of a serpent descending the steps of El Castillo pyramid.
The event, which marks the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere, saw the appearance of Kukulcán—the feathered serpent deity—with seven perfectly formed triangles of light and shadow appearing on the pyramid’s northern staircase before sunset on March 21.
David Escalante Lombard, director general of the Patronato de las Unidades de Servicios Culturales y Turísticos del Estado de Yucatán (Cultur), explained that authorities implemented organizational measures not used in seven years to manage the large crowds. These included allowing vehicle access to parking areas near the archaeological site and using the Visitor Attention Center (Catvi) as an exit point.
Authorities coordinated a security operation involving police officers from the Public Security Department, paramedics, State Prosecutor’s Office personnel, and National Guard members to ensure visitor safety throughout the event.
The day featured traditional celebrations, with the Charanga Hermanos Canul musical group from Yaxunah welcoming Kukulcán at 3 p.m. Young dancers performed at the base of the pyramid dedicated to the Maya god, and at 4:50 p.m., after a brief pause, the serpent shadow appeared again as it descended toward the sacred cenote.
Although the special security operation concluded on March 21, the archaeoastronomical phenomenon will continue to be visible—weather permitting—through early April as the sun’s angle creates similar lighting effects on the pyramid.
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