Priests were very important people in Inca society because they were a link between people and the gods and spirits. The cult of the Sun was headed by a High Priest who ran the temples and appointed the priests. The role of the priests was to conduct rituals and sacrifices. Through their contact with the gods, they could predict the future by reading it in the flight of birds, in the coca leaves or even in the fire. Priests were usually men but some women (the Virgins of the Sun) also devoted their lives to serving the Sun god.

The temples of the sun

The Incas built several temples to honour the Sun god. These temples were decorated with gold, silver and precious stones. They also featured a large gold disc that represented the sun. The temples are where the Incas performed religious rituals and held weddings and funerals.

Author: Alexandre Lanoix

See a 360 degree view of the Temple of the Sun at
https://www.google.com/streetview/#machu-picchu/temple-of-the-sun 
 
 
 
 

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Spirituality – Spiritualité

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