During its heyday in the 11th century, Chichen Itza, like Petra in Jordan, was a thriving city where over 35000 people lived.Many of the domain’s structures were built then, most striking is El Castillo, a 30m high stepped pyramid with a temple crowned at the top.It ranks today at the top of Mexico’s tourism display and draws around two million visitors every year for a close visual assault.Earlier I had seen countless images of this icon, but nothing can be compared to the thrill of my first sight of the imposing structure dramatically rising out of the plains as if to touch the blue sky above.I stay hypnotised for a while before rushing into photoshoot and selfie captures.I learn from Fabio the temple at the top is dedicated to Toltec god-king Kukulkan, Flight of stairs on all four sides are for pilgrims to reach the shrine, which still houses a bright red throne carved as a jaguar and encrusted with green jade.It’s called ‘chacmool’.The hike to the top is not allowed anymore, so I satisfy myself seeing its photograph which Fabio captured before the closure.Fabio explains how the design of the pyramid reflects Mayan’s deep knowledge of astronomy.For example, 91 steps on each side facing four cardinal points plus the one at the top platform makes 365, representing total days in a year.
