STORY: Visitors gathered at the foot of Mexico's Pyramid of the Sun on Saturday (March 21), drawn by the spring equinox in hopes of harnessing the energy many believe the event provides.

Hours before the Teotihuacan archaeological site opened, crowds assembled outside to watch hot air balloons rise against the backdrop of the pyramids at dawn.

Attendees later stood near the towering Pyramid of the Sun to observe the sunrise and partake in rituals.

"From the moment you step on the ground, you feel the attraction from the Earth," said Irene, a national tourist, who joined chants and other ceremonies at the site.

The equinox, occurring either on March 20 or 21 and September 22 or 23 each year, is the moment when the sun shines directly over the equator, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night. The spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, signals the midway point between winter and summer.

Located approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Mexico City, the Pyramid of the Sun was constructed around 2,000 years ago. It has long been a focal point for gathering during significant astronomical events.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: TEOTIHUACAN, STATE OF MEXICO, MEXICO (MARCH 21, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF SUNRISE OVER PYRAMIDS AND HOT AIR BALLOONS

2. VARIOUS OF TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMIDS AT SUNRISE AND HOT AIR BALLOONS

3. (MUTE) TIMELAPSE OF SUNRISE OVER PYRAMIDS

4. RESIDENTS PERFORMING RITUAL

5. COPAL (Ed’s note: Copal is an aromatic tree resin burned as sacred incense in indigenous ceremonies to spiritually bless objects and purify ritual spaces) INCENSE CUP

6. PERSON SINGING, PLAYING DRUM

7. PERSON RAISING HANDS TOWARD SUNLIGHT

8. HANDS IN AIR

9. PERSON WITH ARMS RAISED

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VISITOR, IRENE DE LA MAR, SAYING:

"From the moment you step on the ground, you feel the attraction from the Earth. We come from sky, sea, earth and fire. So I feel that everything is energy, we are energy. From the moment you are here, you feel a vibe. It's about concentrating and feeling in your heart, and everything vibrates."

11. PYRAMID OF THE SUN

12. VISITORS WALKING

13. VISITOR RAISING HANDS

14. VARIOUS OF GROUPS OF VISITORS RAISING HANDS TOWARD THE SUN

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VISITOR, AURORA JUAREZ, SAYING:

"All people who can come here to recharge their energy should come, because this is very true, very much true."

16. (MUTE) TIMELAPSE VISITORS AT PYRAMIDS

17. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF PYRAMID OF THE SUN

18. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF VISITORS NEAR PYRAMID

19. VARIOUS OF DANCERS PERFORMING IN FRONT OF PYRAMID OF THE SUN

20. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VISITOR, FERNANDA, SAYING:

"It was like our goal from the beginning of the year to charge ourselves with this energy and truly it's very, very cool and we are having a very pleasant experience. It's nice to see not only foreigners but many Mexicans here. It's very cool to see how traditions are still being preserved."

21. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF PYRAMID OF THE SUN AND PYRAMID OF THE MOON

22. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF PYRAMID OF THE MOON

23. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF PYRAMID OF THE SUN