Peru’s Apurímac region observes religious holiday
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Each year on September 8, people in the Apurímac region of Peru pause from work to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Cocharcas.
The regional government established the day as a non-working religious holiday to honor the tradition. Residents view the day as a break connected to their local faith and customs. The observance isn’t a national holiday, but a regional one linked specifically to the commemoration of Our Lady of Cocharcas.
The celebration blends religious tradition with local identity, drawing thousands of pilgrims to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Cocharcas in the Chincheros province. The holiday has roots stretching back over four centuries, combining Catholic practices with traditions of the Andean world.
The devotion to the Virgin originated in the late 16th century with Sebastián Quimichu, a man who, after being healed from an illness, promised to bring an image of the Virgin to his home town to share his faith. Pilgrims travel from across Peru, including the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Junín, and Lima, to participate in masses, processions, cultural events, and fairs during the annual festival.
