You have never seen such a temple! drugstore in mexico

Every year at midnight on May 2, the followers of Jesús Malverde arrive at the chapel in the Mexican city of Culiacan to pay their respects to him and thank him for the gifts they prayed for. Malverde is a dark figure, but many agree that he was a real person who lived in the northwestern state of Sinaloa at the turn of the 20th century. He was a kind of Robin Hood who robbed the rich and gave money to the poor, but in the end the authorities caught him and hanged him on May 3, 1909. Malverde's body was left to rot in the street.

But many years after his death, his spirit began to be called a "drug saint", although, like many such figures, he is not recognized by the Catholic Church. He is depicted as a man with a square jaw, thick black eyebrows, a mustache and a slightly sad expression on his face. The chapel in Culiacan was built in 1969, and it is here, one block from the local government building, that festivals in honor of the “saint” take place.

(Total 11 photos)

Source: vice.com

1. At the chapel you can buy various things with the image of the "saint", including busts of various sizes, cigarettes, caps, jewelry, soap and key rings.

2. On the day of the celebration, musicians are hired to play at the chapel while people walk to the altar. These musicians are from San Luis Potosi, representatives of the Huichol people.

3. The car used in the parade - one of the "believers" presented it to the chapel.

4. While praying or giving thanks to Malverde, the faithful wash his bust in holy water and stroke his face.

5. One of the believers with a large gold Malverde medallion next to tattoos in honor of the "saint".

6. Young followers of the faith in Malverde in identical caps with the face of a “saint”.

7. The procession moves through the streets.

8. Tattoo in honor of Malverde.

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10. Joint drinking of whiskey during the holiday is mandatory.

11. At the end of the parade, the bust of Malverde is returned to its place - the altar in the chapel.