🗿 Temple of Kukulkan (El Castillo):

• Also known as “El Castillo” or "The Castle," it is the central pyramid of Chichén Itzá. • Dedicated to the feathered serpent deity Kukulkan, the Maya equivalent of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl.

🧱 Architectural Features:

• The pyramid stands approximately 30 meters (98 feet) tall. • It has 91 steps on each of its four sides, and with the top platform, the total becomes 365 steps—symbolizing the solar year. • Each side of the pyramid is aligned with the four cardinal directions: North, South, East, and West.

🌞 Equinox Phenomenon:

• During the spring and autumn equinoxes, a spectacular phenomenon occurs: o The sunlight creates a shadow of a serpent that slithers down the pyramid’s staircase, ending at a carved serpent head at the base. o This is believed to represent the descent of the god Kukulkan to the Earth.

🏛️ Historical Significance:

• The pyramid served as a religious and astronomical center for the Maya. • It was used to observe celestial events and to mark time and seasons. • Declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

📜 UNESCO Recognition:

• Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. • It remains one of Mexico’s most visited tourist attractions and a symbol of ancient Mesoamerican ingenuity. The Temple of Kukulkan at Chichén Itzá stands as a timeless masterpiece of architecture and astronomy. It reflects the Maya civilization’s advanced understanding of the cosmos and their engineering brilliance. Even today, it amazes scientists and visitors with its precise alignment and celestial symbolism.