“The most important thing is that you go with faith, without doubt,and with decision to the sanctuary of Qoyllority. It is the most important pilgrimage aoung and thousands of people from different places go there despite difficulties. “If you go you must go three time in a row until your wishes are fulfilled.”
When I decided to go to Qollurity for the first time, these were the phrases that my friends had told me. In addition they said I needed warm clothes though faith was even more important.
To get there you leave Cusco for Maguallany. It took us about four hours on the bus to get there. It was just a small town where the pilgrimage begins upward tot he sanctuary. The climb takes between two and four hours. It is a steep trail of dirt. On the trek upward you occasionally stop to render homage and light candles at the crosses that are all along the route.
I began my trek upward at midnight under a brilliant full moon that guided my path. On arriving at the sanctuary I say the fascinating,snow-clad peaks that surround the Church where there is an image of Christ on a huaca, a stone. Here everyone comes to beg for the fulfillment of their desires. They also light candles.
One of the interesting things was a place called pukllaypampa where people make their desires in stone. The majority are houses and cars.
The route climbs up to the snow, passing by the sanctuary, following the guide of the crosses. On being in this place I could feel the holiness and purity of this place In spite of the cold I decided to keep going up, to the foot of the glacier where the Pablitos go. Along the way I was fascinated by the animals and birds that inhabit this place.
Without any doubt, the energy that emanates from this place feeds you, cures you, and teaches you. That is the sacrality of Sinacara — Qolque Punku. I will be back next year.
In the meantime I wish to share with you some of the pictures I took during my visit to this important sanctuary.
