When: October 3
Where: Lima, Peru
Cost: Free

Hundreds of thousands of devotees crowd through the streets of Lima at the Procession of the Lord of Miracles every October.

Parading through clouds of incense, singing and dancing, they buy spiritual trinkets to honour Jesus Christ, Lima’s patron saint.

The enormous image of the Señor de los Milagros is transported on the shoulders of the cargadores, or ‘carriers’, an esoteric brotherhood charged with transporting the heavy statue.

In front of the image march the sahumadoras, a group of Catholic sisters, clad in the purple robes that mark devotion to the Lord of Miracles and waving incense burners around to freshen the air.

Immediately behind them walk the cantadoras, the women singers who intone the hymns and devotional songs that accompany the procession. Many other minor figures, including penitents, musicians, vendors and peddlers, have become fixtures of the procession.

The month of October is known as the mes morado, or purple month. It is full of minor observations in honour of the patron saint, whose colour is purple. Sweets and delicacies can be purchased alongside the procession.

Try Turrón de Doña Pepa, a delicious soft and sweet paste made with eggs, butter, flour, aniseed and fruit syrup.

Visit Skyscanner.net to find the most convenient flights to Peru.