*****
Abu Simbel temple, Egypt. Photo credit to Egyptian State Tourist Office in London.
When:
Feb 2009 (various dates)
Where:
Abu Simbel Temple
Opening Hours:
Sunrise
During the Abu Simbel Festival crowds fill the temple at sunrise to watch the shafts of light slowly creeping through the stone, illuminating the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun and providing a spectacular sight.
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It was Ramses II who, in a fit of precision and architectural egotism, carefully angled his temple at Abu Simbel so that the inner sanctum would light up twice a year - once on the anniversary of his rise to the throne, and once on his birthday. Impressively, it is only the inner sanctum that lights up, while the statute of Ptah (the god of darkness) remains in the shadows.
When they have recovered their breath, visitors can join celebrations outside, including a fair and music demonstrations. However, nothing can really impress you immediately after witnessing such a sight.
When the Aswan Dam caused the Nasser lake to rise and inundate the area in the early 1960s, the entire temple was moved to higher ground and for this reason the sun now strikes a day later than Ramses had originally planned.
When they have recovered their breath, visitors can join celebrations outside, including a fair and music demonstrations. However, nothing can really impress you immediately after witnessing such a sight.
When the Aswan Dam caused the Nasser lake to rise and inundate the area in the early 1960s, the entire temple was moved to higher ground and for this reason the sun now strikes a day later than Ramses had originally planned.
Event details can change.
Please check with the organisers that the event is happening before making travel arrangements.
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