Pilgrimage on Horseback
On November 1, 50 riders set out from Morelia on horseback to make a pilgrimage to Pátzcuaro. Every year the pilgrimage keeps gathering riders from pueblos along the way, until they finally number from 600 to 1,000 on arrival at the Plaza de la Basílica. This massive procession on horseback pays homage to Nuestra Señora de la Salud, who is venerated at the Pátzcuaro Basílica.
The ride started in the dark at 5:00 AM and the caballeros and caballeras starting arriving in streams at 5:00 PM at the Plaza. In the fading light, the earthy smell of the horses permeated the air, while the occasional clatter of restless hooves, the snorts of horses pulling at their tethers and their nickers punctuated the burble of satisfied conversations.
This year no horses were permitted to enter the small courtyard area adjacent to the Basílica or the edifice itself because of restored paving and flooring. Mass was held to the jingle of spurs as those who were standing occasionally shifted their weight from foot to foot.
See a series of posts on Night of the Dead in Patzcuaro.
Patzcuaro bound?
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