In the legends of the Incas, it is said that the God Viracocha created the Earth, Sky and people. He did not create the Sun in the beginning, however. But the people defied Viracocha so he decided to kill them all. A great flood came and drowned all but two, a male and female, who hid in a box. The waters carried them to Tihuanaco and the waters receded when they reached that destination. After this, the God forgave the two survivors and created many more different tribes of people from clay. He gave them breath and life, their languages and songs, and seeds for them to plant and sow. Viracocha spread these nations of people through out the world through underground passages. It was still dark, however, so Viracocha created the Sun, Moon and stars which he sent into the heavens from Lake Titicaca.

Religiously, the Incas were quite tolerant of the beliefs of their conquered subjects as long as the worship did not interfere with the new obligations laid upon them by Incan religious leaders. The Incan pantheon was also forced upon them over the pre-existing deities and was considered of greater importance. The prime deity of the Incas, as you may have guessed, is Viracocha, the Creator God. Although he is the prime deity, he was considered not among them and invisible. No temples were created for him. Inti, the Sun god, was thought to be his representation in the physical world.