Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman –

puma's head and zigzag teeth

guard llama herders

Sacsayhauman Temple, on the outskirts of Cusco, was dedicated to the Andean deity Illapa, the Ray of Lightning, an important symbol in agricultural rituals. For this reason, the outer walls of the temple were built in three zigzag tiers, representing lightning. Begun in the 15th century, the temple took a century to build. The massive stones fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle, with no visible gap between the blocks. Amaru, our Inka yachac guide, tells us this was done by shamanic powers, and it is easy to believe this when you touch the stones. The original temple is said to be the head of the puma, the female Inka deity. These female Inka descendents still graze their llamas on the steep slopes, observing tourists as curiously as we observe them.