La Judea, is a living history of Purisima

Crowds of 38,000 gather for La Judea 2026 in its 153 anniversary; while drones, smartphones, and keen eyes capture the legendary evento

Purisima del Rincon/Gto News

The echo of the bugle, the beat of the drum, and the haunting melody of the chirimia set the stage for the 153rd anniversary of La Judea. This year, the tradition sent a powerful message about seeking the right path and the eternal possibility of redemption.

The spectacle culminated in the dramatic portrayal of Judas thrashing in regret as the Devil mocked his betrayal.

An estimated 38,000 people gathered across the three main days of La Judea on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The peak of the event occurred during the symbolic hanging of Judas, which drew approximately 27,200 spectators. The crowd watched with rapt attention as the scene was captured by at least 10 drones, television cameras, and countless mobile phones.

Between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, the fervor reached its height. Loyal followers of La Judea climbed walls and stood on shoulders to catch a glimpse of the action, filling every available space. The 153rd anniversary reached a massive audience via TV4 Guanajuato, the Municipality’s Facebook page, and Purisima del Rincon’s official YouTube channel, totaling 60,000 views across seven hours of live transmission.

Roberto Garcia Urbano, the Mayor of Purisima, and David Ayala Saucedo, Undersecretary of Tourism Development for Guanajuato, congratulated the people of Purisima for keeping this tradition vibrant. Municipal Tourism officials conducted 166 surveys during the event to analyze the impact of the celebration.

The data revealed a diverse audience:

• 52.4 percent were local residents
• 47.6 percent were visitors

Among the visitors:

• 67.1 percent came from other municipalities within Guanajuato
• 17 percent arrived from across Mexico (including Jalisco, Mexico City, and Quintana Roo)
• 15.2 percent were international tourists from the United States and France, drawn by one of Mexico’s most representative traditions

Now captivating a global audience, the 153-year-old Judea continues to etch its history through the hands of those who forged it. This year, “Guardians of the Heritage” statues were awarded to citizens who helped document and value the tradition.

Additionally, a special recognition was given to Eduardo Torres, known as “El Diablo Menor,” who will now focus on training the next generation of “little devils” to preserve this unique local legacy.

Public safety agencies, including Civil Protection, Firefighters, and Public Security, reported a “saldo blanco” (no major incidents), despite the intense heat and heavy crowds. Authorities treated three minors who fainted during the hanging scene and quickly reunited seven lost children with their families.

As another year concludes, La Judea fulfills its role in a history that continues to be written in the heart of Purisima del Rincon.

For more information:

• https://purisimadelrincon.mx
• #PurisimaDelRincon
• #TrasciendePorSuGente

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