Day of Pachamama celebrations in Peru

Nature & Tourism
day-of-pachamama-celebration-peru
Date: Thursday, 01 August 2024

In Peru, and here especially in the Andean highlands, August 1 (and actually the entire month of August) is dedicated to Pachamama, next to the sun god Inti probably the most important and worshipped deity in the Inca culture.

While rituals to honor Pachamama take place year-round in the Andes regions of Peru, the celebrations for the Day of Pachamama already start on the night before August 1 when families clean their houses and cook all night.

On the Dia de la Pachamama people then either in private with friends and family or in public ceremonies come together and dig a hole in the ground in which they place fruits and veggies, herbs, meat or a part of the dishes prepared the night before, drinks, flowers. coca leaves, sweats and even cigarettes. Everything is then either burnt or just covered with soil as an offering for Pachamama. Often people spill a bit of chicha de jora, an alcoholic beverage obtained by the fermentation of a specific maize variety, on the ground and drink the rest showing their respect to the goddess.

The offerings and the ancient rituals that are performed during and after the ceremony aim at bringing good luck for the New Year and the goodwill of Pachamama.

In the region of Puno the celebrations are often combined with the festivities for the National Alpaca Day.

Read more about this special day dedicated to Mother Nature in our article "Day of Pachamama"

Day of Pachamama - Dia de la Pachamama

Peruvian Public Holidays & Festivities
In Peru, and here especially in the Andean highlands, August 1 (and actually the entire month of August) is dedicated to Pachamama, next to the sun...

Venue / Location:
all Peru; but celebrated only in the Andean highlands

All Dates


  • Sunday, 01 August 2021
  • Monday, 01 August 2022
  • Tuesday, 01 August 2023
  • Thursday, 01 August 2024
Say something here...
characters left
or post as a guest
All comments MUST be in English and will be moderated before publishing.
They will appear below within 24 hours.
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.

Be the first to comment.

Peru Newsflash

Peru Event Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Latest Content...

Latest Video

Maria Reiche - Memories

Maria Reiche - Memories

Submitted by: Tintin
05 December 2021

Long Reads...

  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The Mystery of the Nazca Lines in Peru

    In the 1920s, when people first flew across southern Peru, they made an astonishing discovery. Stretching below them,…
  • Peruvian Personalities & Founders

    Francisco Pizarro González (1474-1541)

    Francisco Pizarro, a peasant from Spain, was one of the least well-equipped conquerors in history. However, in the name…
  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The colorful Fabrics and Textiles of Peru

    Europe’s first knowledge of Peruvian textiles was acquired following the Spanish invasion of Peru in 1532, when the…
  • Peruvian Legends, Myths & Tales

    The Jeweled Frog and the Condor

    By a quiet pond, at the side of a cloud-topped mountain in Peru, lived a small green frog and his large green family.…
  • Peru Info

    Peruvian Economy

    The Peruvian economy is an emerging, social market economy highly dependent on foreign trade and classified as an upper…