The Sun Festival at Abu-Simbel

Abu-Simbel

Feb 21 2012

Every year on February 22nd and then again on October 22nd, the sun creeps into the inner sanctum of the carefully aligned Temple of Ramesses II, lighting up the statues of the sun gods  Re-Horakhte and Amon-Re, as well as a statue of the pharaoh himself. Only one seated figure remains in the shadows at all times, Ptah, the God of Darkness.

The magical Solar Festival happens twice a year, once to celebrate Ramesses II birthday and then again to celebrate his coronation.