James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on January 25, 2021 by James Bustamante
Among the many places to see in Machu Picchu, one of the most important is the temple of the three windows which are present near the Machu Picchu main square.
The temple of the three windows has always been a source of conversation as to what the purpose and origins are. Along with the Machu Picchu mirrors, this temple’s purpose has been disputed by researchers.
Location of The Temple of The Three Windows
The Machu Picchu temple of the three windows is arranged around the main square, also considered the courtyard for The Inca citadel. This will be one of the first stops during the Machu Picchu hike, so you won’t have to wait for much to see it.
This temple has three windows that are perfectly embedded into the structure, they are also perfectly symmetrical to the surroundings. Some Machu Picchu researchers believe there were at one point, 5 windows but the structure for the other 2 probably collapsed at some point.
This entire structure also had a roof over it when the Inca originally built it; this too probably collapsed throughout the years.
The temple of the three windows is located at the top level of the city. Machu Picchu is divided into different sections and the temple of the three windows is actually located in the “Hanan” which translates to updown, this is the most important part of Machu Picchu.
“Hanan” was where the Inca had important religious ceremonies. The “uptown” of Machu Picchu is facing Huayna Picchu and Putucusi mountain located, both are located to the south of the city.
When the temple of the three windows was found over 100 years ago it was covered under 30cm (12 inches) of vegetation.
Along with the temple, the explorers discovered several objects such as ceremonial jars, vases, and fountains which were very carefully decorated. This might indicate that these ceremonies might be in worship of the mountains.
What Do The Three Windows Temple Represent?
There are several stories about the origin of the “three windows temple”. Some scholars state that the meaning behind the Machu Picchu temple of the three windows has to do with the different world in existence the Inca believed in. Each window is said to represent a different plane of existence or a different part of the Inca world.
Uku-Pacha Window
The first window represents “Uku-Pacha” which translates to the underground. Uku- Pacha would be what the Inca interpreted as hell, or where the dead are.
Hanan-Pacha Window
The second window represents “Hanan-Pacha” or what the Incas would refer to as heaven. Hanan-Pacha was considered the world where all the gods reside.
Kay-Pacha Window
The third window was said to represent “Kay-Pacha” or what we know as the human world where people live their lives.
Engraved Animals of The Temple
There is a marked stone in the temple walls which showcases the three animals that represented each world. These animals are part of what the Inca called the “trilogy”.
Hanan-Pacha was represented with the Andean Condor, Kay Pacha, or the human world was represented with the Puma and last we have Uku-Pacha which is displayed as a serpent.
Construction of The Temple
The construction of this temple is apparently related to the legend of “Tamputoq’o” and the origin of the Incan civilization.
Each window is said to represent one of the ancient tribes which gave birth to the Inca. The Inca did not write down their stories like other ancient civilizations did but rather passed down origin stories through generations, this is also true about the origins of Machu Picchu as a whole.
The sun also seems to align with the temple of the three windows. This would make sense since the Inca worshipped and depended heavily on the sun’s position for agricultural reasons.
Conclusion
This temple seems to have held great importance for the Inca, either spiritual, astronomical, or both.
When you plan to visit Machu Picchu, remember the guided tour will take you through this Inca Temple along with the Temple of the Condor as well as other important places within the ancient stone city of the Inca.
We begin with the highest point of the city and work our way down to the terraces.
FAQ’s About Temple of The Three Windows
Where is the Temple of The Three Windows located?The temple is located in Machu Picchu on the “Uptown” section of the complex. During a Machu Picchu tour, this temple will be among the first areas we visit
Who built the temple of the three windows?
The temple was built by the Inca or tribes that lived under the Inca.
Did the Inca write down their history?
No, the Inca did not write down their history. They passed down stories from the previous generation to the next.
What is the significance of the Temple of the Three Windows?
Research shows that this temple was a representation of the 3 worlds the Inca believed in. The current world where humans lived, the world where the gods lived (heaven), and the underworld where the dead reside.
Which animals are engraved in the Temple of the 3 Windows?
The three animals represented are the Puma which refers to the world where humans live, the Snake which refers to the underworld or land of the dead, and the Andean Condor which represents heaven or the realm of the gods.
What does Hanan-Pacha mean?
Hanan-Pacha is Quechua for the human world.
