A Tryst with the Ancient Mayan Religious Practices and Beliefs

Like the Inca and Nazca civilizations, the ancient Mayan civilization is one of the most noted and researched among the Mesoamerican tribes. The Mayans have always remained in the center of attraction for its multitude of involvement with mysterious stuff practices, artwork, calendar, their far-reached learning, and practices. According to many historians and scientists delving with the Mayan cult denote that they were involved with the aliens that are popularly known as the “White Gods”. From many references to the excavated relics, it has been confirmed several times that the ancient Mayans used to practice uncanny religious rituals and practices that are yet not unfolded. Those theories that are designated as “debunked” are even questioned by many scientists and present-day anthropologists.

Quick Facts – The Maya Civilization:
• The Mayan Civilization rose around the c.250 AD

• Traces of the culture are found across Southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize etc.

• Theism- Polytheism Practiced

• Main gods were- The Top 4 popularly known as Itzamná; Bolon Tzacab; Kukulcán (Quetzalcóatl); Chac

• Popular Practices were- Astronomy, Divinity, Human Sacrifice, Worshipping the pyramid-temples, the ritual of performing a pompous burial for the dead royal family member.

• Books and Texts- Books of Chilam Balam; The Ritual of the Bacabs Dresden, Madrid, and Paris codices; Popol Vuh.

The Mayan Religious Beliefs and their Mysterious Practices
Mayans had a strong belief that their kings had the power to communicate with the gods. The rulers were deified as messengers or intermediaries between the men and the Gods, which is why they were elevated to the position of semi-divine beings. Thus, when the Mayan Kings were buried after their death, the tombs were decked up with a multitude of valuable offerings starting from the gold ornaments, money, clothes, food and different other precious things. With the continuation of this theory, it has been noted and researched out that the Mayan people believed in the concept of an afterlife. From many references the concept has been nurtured that they believed that the souls of the deceased travel a dangerous voyage through the underworld. This is usually known as the Hell which remains full of sinister gods those are mainly portrayed as symbols of night and jaguar in many Mayan images. For the Mayans, Heaven was only reserved for the souls that sacrificed or had left the mortal existence during childbirth.

Historians have found that the ancient Mayans strongly believed in both science and religion. That’s why most of the time they have interestingly amalgamated the both practices and elated the creation to a strong religious ritual. They were proficient in astronomy. The Mayans were great in mathematics and they knew the use of zero too. The accuracy in calculating the solar year considering the position of Moon and Venus as well as mentioning about the solar eclipse awe-inspire the scientists. The moon and sun were gods to them and may be for nurturing some religious practices they somehow created the famous Mayan Calendar. According to many, the aliens used to visit them and teach them the science and the calculations. Traces of alien visit have been found in various images of the Mayans as well. Then are the aliens were their gods? The question still remains under the shadows of mystery!