A hot air ball balloon floats past while people stand in line to climb the Pyramid of the Sun and welcome the spring equinox in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. Spring equinox in Teotihuacán is an annual event which takes place around the 20th and 21st of March at the pre-Hispanic site of Teotihuacán, Mexico. This event is mirrored by other similar events in other pre-Hispanic sites such as Chichén Itzá and Malinalco, Mexico State. In Teotihuacan, thousands of people visit for the event, many dressed in white with a red scarf or other accessory. Many dance, burn incense and chant but the defining ritual is to stand at the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, with arms outstretched facing the sun in the morning on the eastern horizon. Most climb this pyramid between 9am and 1pm. However, those who arrive early enough can see the sun rise over the Apan Mountains to the east of the Pyramid of the Sun, with its red rays coloring the landscape and the onlookers’ clothing. Chanting and other clamor accompanies this sunrise as participants stand with arms outstretched. Some come because they believe they are following in the footsteps of their ancestors, in asking the gods for energy and health on this day. Some New Age sources claim that at the point of the equinox, man is at a unique place in the cosmos, when portals of energy open. Climbing the 360 stairs to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun is claimed to allow participants to be closer to this “energy”. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





The people come down after welcome the spring equinox in the Pyramid of the Sun in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





People stand in line to climb the Pyramid of the Sun and welcome the spring equinox in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





A woman raises her arms towards the sun to welcome the spring equinox while she is standing on the Pyramid of the Sun in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





Dancers take part in a ceremony to welcome the spring equinox in front the Pyramid of the Sun in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





People pose for a selfie on the Pyramid of the Sun and welcome the spring equinox in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





A view of the Pyramid of the Moon is seen in the background while a woman raises her arms towards the sun to welcome the spring equinox in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





A hot air balloon floats past people standing in line to climb the Pyramid of the Sun and welcome the spring equinox in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





A woman holds up a soft toy towards the sun to welcome the spring equinox while standing on the Pyramid of the Sun in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





Hot air balloons float above people standing in line to climb the Pyramid of the Sun and welcome the spring equinox in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





Dancers take photos as they welcome the spring equinox next to the Pyramid of the Sun in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)





A couple pose for a photo as they welcome the spring equinox in front of the Pyramid of the Sun in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, March 20, 2016. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)