The Amazing Abu Simbel Festival

The Abu Simbel Temple in Egypt is a remarkable specimen of human intelligence. It was constructed during the reign of Ramses the second in the sandstone cliffs facing east. The temple was designed so that twice a year the inner sanctum was illuminated by the rays of the rising sun making the three statues inside to light up creating a life like image. The three statues are those of Ra, Amun and Ramses himself. The statue of Ptah, the God of darkness however remains unlit.

The two occasions on which the sun rays align with these magnificent statues to create the magical moment are Ramses accession to the throne (22nd February) and his birthday (22nd October).

The temple becomes crowded with tourists both local and foreign who gather before Dawn to watch this spectacular event which is worth waiting for. Music, dancing and food follows this spellbinding event but is no match for the mesmerizing scene witnessed inside the temple.

The construction of the Aswan Dam threatened the existence of the temple so the temple was dismantled and shifted 60 meters above its height and then put to gather again in the same relation with itself and the sun. This has caused the phenomenon to occur a day after it was actually planned.

The Abu Simbel festival celebrates human ingenuity and nature.