London: The Maya Long Count calendar reads ‘13.0.0.0.0’ (‘thirteen b’aktun’) for the first time in 5,125 years, believed by some to mark the end of civilisation with the End of the 13th Baktun.
Although, the world will not end today, but many believers of Mayan calendar across the world still have a thought that today is the end of the world.
Doomsayers and religious leaders have claimed that Sirince, a village in western Turkey, will be spared from the ‘Mayan apocalypse.’ Thousands of people have descended on the well-known tourist destination, which will supposedly be saved from destruction by the ‘positive energy’ flowing through it.
University students celebrate their graduation in front of a replica of a Mayan pyramid in Taichung, Taiwan. The Taiwanese National Museum of Natural Science has organised a public countdown ceremony to curb fears about the end of the world.
Guatemalan Mayans have gathered at the ancient temple Kaminaljuyu to carry out purification rituals to usher in a new era according to their Long Count calendar. Roly Escobar from the Ajtobanel´achí Association of Spirtual Guides explained to BBC World that the ceremonies create positive energy, and that this new era promised more unity, equality and respect for the world.
In Russia, many people have built underground bunkers in their houses.
In Honduras, the countdown began on the 12th December with a parade through the Mayan ruins in Copan, which is also hosting a series of plays, musical performances, educational workshops and ancient ballgames – though they are unlikely to end with a ritual sacrifice as was sometimes the case in the Mayan era.
It is not only the Mayan nations that are expecting better things. Earlier this year, Bolivian foreign minister David Choquehuanca said he was optimistic that the end of the Mayan calendar will usher in a new and more progressive era – one that will see “the end of hatred and the beginning of love.”
Mexico is also hoping the end of an era will mark the start of a new boom in tourism.
In Brazil, Pity the Poor Guatemalan police, as all leave for security personnel has been cancelled on 21 December. The Interior Minister Mauricio Lopez told reporters that this was because they must maintain public order at the 13 ceremonial centres where festivities will take place to mark the new era. Conspiracy theorists will no doubt have other explanations.
China has marked ‘doomsday’ with mass arrests throughout the country. Around 100 members of a Christian sect were detained in central China for spreading rumours about December 21. Members of ‘Almighty God’ predicted three days of darkness starting Friday.
In France, apocalyptic spot of choice, the Pic de Bugarach in the foothills of the Pyrenees, though the site is cordoned off to keep out the hordes, and a local hotel will set you back 1,500 euros — payable in advance.
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