[2] Before it was defaced, the statue was described as a grotesque human figure with a large head and high, pointed forehead.

[4] Traditional Maya shamans regularly perform ceremonies at the shrine, by day and night.

[3] The statue is set upon a small altar surrounded by offerings, which include pine branches, crosses, flowers, copal resin, and items crafted from stone.

[7] The shrine is located upon a wooded ridge overlooking the Chichicastenango valley,[8] approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of the town.

[10] Turcaj (spelled Turk'aj in modern Maya orthography) is the Kʼicheʼ name for the hill upon which the shrine is located.