What role did Viracocha play in Inca religious beliefs?

In Inca religious beliefs, Viracocha served as the supreme creator deity, credited with forming the earth, humans, animals, the sun, and the moon. Beyond his role as a creator, he was revered as a culture hero who traveled the world teaching humanity the arts of civilization.123

The Incas viewed Viracocha as a remote, powerful figure who delegated the daily operations of the world to other deities. Because of his distant nature, he was primarily worshiped by the nobility, particularly during times of crisis. He also held significant political and spiritual importance as the divine protector of the ruler Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, who credited the god with helping him defeat the Chanca people. Following this victory, Pachacuti commissioned a temple in Cuzco to honor him.123

Viracocha was often depicted as an old man carrying a staff, and he was represented in the Inca capital by a gold figure approximately the size of a ten-year-old child.123