Chalma | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Sanctuary of Chalma with cliffs in the background | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 18°55′56″N 99°26′09″W / 18.93222°N 99.43583°W | |
| Country |  Mexico |
| State | State of Mexico |
| Municipality | Malinalco, Mexico State |
| Elevation (of seat) | 1,700 m (5,600 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 1,701 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
Chalma is a small community, which is part of the municipality of Malinalco, Mexico State. Its small population is almost completely dedicated to the pilgrims[1] who come to visit the Sanctuary of Chalma, the second most-important pilgrimage site in Mexico.[2] The sanctuary is dedicated to an image of what many people describe as a "black Christ" on a cross that legend says miraculously appeared in an area cave where the worship of a deity commonly known as Oxtoteotl used to take place.[3] Some contend that as Oxtoteotl is an aspect of Tezcatlipoca, the "Smoking Mirror," then the "black Christ" is really Tezcatlipoca, which the Spanish friars superimposed on the existing representation of Tezcatlipoca in order to convert the natives. Pilgrimages to this Christian sanctuary follow many of the patterns of the prehispanic rituals, including walking the narrow paths to the town itself, bathing in the waters of a special fresh-water spring and dancing at the sanctuary.[4]
- ^ Davidson, Linda Kay; David M Gitlitz (2002). PilgrFile: from the Ganges to Graceland, An Encyclopedia Vol 1. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-57607-004-8. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ "Chalma, el santuario más visitado en época de cuaresma" (in Spanish). State of Mexico. 15 February 2008. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ "El Cristo de Chalma, Estado de México" (in Spanish). Grupo Editorial Impresiones Aéreas. Archived from the original on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ "Chalma, Mexico". Retrieved 29 July 2009.