Otomí Ceremonial Center: A Spiritual Heritage Site Near Toluca
37 kilometers away from Toluca, the Centro Ceremonial Otomí was built in 1980 for giving Temoaya town natives an area to perform ceremonies and rituals. This place is at the foot of Cerro de la Catedral, in the Otomí-Mixteca forest core.
All over the place there are 365 stairs each representing the days of the year. In addition, there are giant sculptures such as the Coloso, which symbolizes fire fight for not extinguishing itself; and a mural called Da’Mishi or “Jaguar that walks and talks”, which narrates the stages of Otomí culture.
The main esplanade is made up of 52 snakes that represent the Otomi century 52 years. Each month’s first Sunday you can witness a gratitude ritual to the universe. A similar case happens each March 18 with the welcoming-to-spring important ceremony called Quinto Sol.
Another ceremonial center distinctive elements are 12 huge conical structures symbolizing water and music and are related to the months of the year, as well as a monument to the sun god. On the other hand, there is a space with seven columns that allude to the caves from where the seven Nahuatlaca tribes emerged in 820 of our era.
Within the complex there’s a site museum and picnic areas. In the surroundings you can visit Temoaya town’s hand-knotted rugs workshops —you can find them with Otomi, Mazahua and Huichol symbols.
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