PILGRIMAGE TO THE QOYLLUR RITI LORD SANCTUARY IN CUSCO

CUSCO, JUNE 28:- Photograph made available on 27 June 2011, shows some ‘ukukus’ or devotees to the Q’oyllur Riti Lord (Snow Star), climbing the snowcapped mount Qollqe Punku, in Ocongate, Cusco, Peru, on 19 June 2011 to make a ‘payment’. The Q’oyllur Riti celebration, considered the biggest indigenous pilgrimage in America, is a multitudinous manifestation of andean religion in which 40.000 people go through a rough path to reach Sinankara creek, next to the Qollqe Punku, 6000 meters height, The water of the creek is considered sacred, and ‘ukukus’ have to stay there until dawn to bring the ice to the people waiting down the mountain. EPA/UNI-6E