What is the solution to the Maka Rah Shrine in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The Maka Rah Shrine, titled "Maka Rah's Blessing," is one of the many shrines in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Unlike most shrines, which feature puzzles or combat challenges, Maka Rah Shrine is a "Blessing" shrine. This means that the shrine itself does not contain any puzzles or enemies to defeat. Instead, the challenge lies in reaching the shrine, which is hidden within the Gerudo Desert. Once you enter the shrine, you can simply walk up to the altar and claim your Spirit Orb. However, getting to the shrine requires careful preparation and navigation through the harsh desert environment.

To reach Maka Rah Shrine, you must first locate it in the Gerudo Desert. The shrine is buried beneath the sand and can only be accessed by solving a specific environmental puzzle. The shrine is located near the South Lomei Labyrinth, which is in the southwestern part of the Gerudo Desert. To uncover the shrine, you need to stand on a specific platform that is marked by a circle of stones. When you stand on this platform at a specific time of day, the shrine will rise from the sand, allowing you to enter.

The key to solving this puzzle is understanding the mechanics of the Gerudo Desert and the role of the sun. The shrine only appears when the sun casts a shadow that aligns with the stone circle. This means you need to stand on the platform at the correct time of day. The best time to do this is during the late afternoon, around 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in-game time. At this time, the sun is low in the sky, and its shadow will align with the stone circle, causing the shrine to rise from the sand.

Before attempting to reach the shrine, it is important to prepare properly. The Gerudo Desert is an extremely harsh environment, with extreme heat during the day and cold temperatures at night. To survive the heat, you will need heat-resistant clothing or elixirs. The Desert Voe set, which can be purchased in Gerudo Town, is ideal for this purpose. Alternatively, you can cook elixirs using ingredients like Chillshrooms or Cool Safflina combined with monster parts. Additionally, you should bring plenty of food and water to restore health and stamina, as well as a few weapons and shields in case you encounter enemies.

Once you are prepared, head to the location of the shrine in the Gerudo Desert. The shrine is located near the South Lomei Labyrinth, so you can use the labyrinth as a landmark to help you find it. When you arrive at the stone circle, wait until the late afternoon and then stand on the platform. If you are standing in the correct position, the shrine will rise from the sand, and you can enter it.

Inside the shrine, you will find a chest containing a valuable item, such as a weapon or piece of armor. After collecting the item, proceed to the altar and interact with it to receive your Spirit Orb. Since this is a Blessing shrine, there are no additional challenges or puzzles to solve.

One common mistake players make when attempting to reach Maka Rah Shrine is not waiting for the correct time of day. If you stand on the platform too early or too late, the shrine will not appear. It is important to be patient and wait until the sun is in the correct position. Another mistake is not preparing properly for the harsh desert environment. Without heat-resistant clothing or elixirs, you will quickly lose health due to the extreme heat.

For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can make to speed up the process. If you have the Sheikah Sensor upgraded to detect shrines, you can use it to help locate the shrine more quickly. Additionally, if you have the ability to fast travel, you can save time by traveling to a nearby shrine or tower and then making your way to the stone circle.

In summary, Maka Rah Shrine is a Blessing shrine that requires you to solve an environmental puzzle to access it. By standing on a specific platform at the correct time of day, you can cause the shrine to rise from the sand. Proper preparation, including heat-resistant clothing or elixirs, is essential for surviving the harsh desert environment. With patience and careful timing, you can easily reach the shrine and claim your Spirit Orb.