Abu Simbel Festival
During the Abu Simbel Festival crowds fill the temple as the sun’s rays align twice a year on his date of his ascension to the throne (in February) and on his birthday (in October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple.
| What | |
|---|---|
| When |
21/02/2009 19:00
21/02/2009 19:00
21/02/2009 from 00:00 to 00:00 |
| Where | Abu Simbel Temple, Egypt |
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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.
The Abu Simbel Festival happens in the months of February and October at the time of sunrise. The Festival as described, is an even not be missed!
