In Mayan mythology, Kinich Ahau is the Sun god and is thought to visit Mayans cities at noon each day. During this time, when Mayan cities were the focal area for Mayan communities, offerings were put by the Mayan community at the Temple of the Sun. The Mayan word Kin is the Mayan term for sun, and is a part of this name for the Sun God. In all of the Mayan ruins, Tulum included, there is a Temple of the Sun that played a few purposes, not just a temple to honor the God of the Sun.
The Temple of the Sun in the Tulum Ruins
The temple of the sun was built after Mayan spiritual leaders made some very important calculations. The Temple of the Sun plays an important part of the Spring and Winter solstice, a time when the sun aligns perfectly with the doorway and center of the Sun Temple. At other times of the year, the sun is either to the left or the right of the Temple. It is only on the solstice days that the sun is directly aligned with the Temple of the Sun.
Mayan myths dictated the construction of temples
The Maya believed that the Gods guided the Sun and Moon across the sky and into the underground. When the sun or moon can not been seen by the human eye, these planets and stars are believed to be traveling through the underworld. For this very reason, temples were constructed to help the sun and moon when they were in the underworld. Human help would ensure that the moon and sun would make it through their journey in the underworld and come up the next day or night to provide humans with light.
Tulum is an extraordinary Mayan ruin on the ocean
The Temple of the Sun is an important Temple in Tulum as it is right on the beach and close to the ocean, giving the Mayans a clear and direct view of the sun. Other Mayan ruins has some obstruction as they are inland. If you watch the sun rise in the morning off the beach, you will witness the importance of the sun from dawn to midday. As you lounge on the Tulum beach, you too will be worshiping the Mayan sun god as you watch the sun move across the sky and provide you with the best beach vacation you have had, really.
Never had a beach vacation on the east coast of Mexico? Once you arrive in Tulum and see the sunrise, the beach and the sunset behind the city of Tulum, you will start to understand why so many visitors and residents know the east side of Mexico is special, very very special.
