Virgin of Urkupiña pilgrimage draws thousands to Cochabamba

The image of the Virgin of Urkupiña was transferred on Thursday, 30 July, from the San Ildefonso temple in Quillacollo to the city of Cochabamba. The move marks the start of the Festividad de la Virgen de Urkupiña, a religious celebration that runs from 31 July to 16 August.

The festivities include a children's entry on 2 August, a Marian advocations procession on 8 August, an indigenous entry on 9 August, a large folkloric procession on 14 August (a departmental holiday), a solemn mass and central feast on 15 August, and a traditional pilgrimage to the Calvary on 16 August, where devotees seek favors from the image. Hundreds of pilgrims, patients, medical staff and visitors gather at Hospital Viedma for a blessing during the journey.

Local authorities in Quillacollo are coordinating logistics to receive the crowds. The event draws thousands of believers from the department, other regions of Bolivia and abroad, providing a significant boost to tourism and the local economy.