Celebrated on the last night of the year and the first days of the year. The cave is a sacred place for the community of Teotitlan Del Valle, where, according to what the ancestors say, there were three apparitions, in three points of this area. Nowadays they are surrounded by flowers, letters, toys and other objects left as an offering for their blessings for the coming year.
The protocol consists of lining up to pay your respects to the images, because normally there is a line of at least 10 people on those dates. Usually you pass a coin, candle or flower that you have all over your body, in a form of protection and also as a symbol of cleanliness, it is placed on the small altar while you have requests or prayers in mind. You can repeat this step on all three images. Some people kiss the rocks or may take a piece of it to carry with them in their pocket or purse.
On one side you will find a small river, which normally rises in the rainy season, a kind of fountain of wishes, where they also throw coins with dreams or requests in mind. Once you cross the river you will find the altar in a small chapel, recently renovated (2023). At the altar you also pass the coin, flower, candle or offering with one and proceed to light your candle, show your respects for the images. Once this protocol has been followed we go up the hill a little and look for a small place to prepare our request, we gather rocks, leaves, branches, everything that is possible to use to simulate a small house, normally the requests are for a prosperous house, health, abundance or calm for the coming year. The house representing family, money and health usually. Once the house is finished, we light a candle or a sparkler to finish the request.
Finally we have a small snack such as sandwiches, chips or even some families prepare roast meats for a more enjoyable and familiar gathering.
This tradition of petitions and celebrations can be carried out from the afternoon of December 31 to January 2, sometimes until January 6.
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