Twice every year, a rare and awe-inspiring event takes place at the Abu Simbel temples in southern Egypt. The sun aligns perfectly with the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II inside the main temple. This solar alignment occurs on February 22 and October 22, illuminating the statue for around 20 minutes. This unique phenomenon has fascinated tourists, archaeologists, and historians for decades, making it a must-see event for visitors to Egypt.
The temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of solid rock during the reign of Ramses II, were primarily dedicated to the sun gods Amun-Re and Ra-Horakhty. The temple is renowned for its precise construction, where the pharaoh’s statue is positioned in such a way that the sun’s rays directly fall on his face twice a year. It’s believed that these dates correspond to significant events in the life of Ramses II—his coronation on February 22 and his birthday on October 22.
The solar alignment lasts for only about 20 minutes, and during this brief time, the sunlight penetrates the 60-meter-long inner sanctuary of the temple, lighting up three of the four statues: Ramses II, Amun-Re, and Ra-Horakhty. Interestingly, the statue of Ptah, the god of darkness, remains in shadow throughout the event. This remarkable occurrence showcases the advanced architectural and astronomical knowledge of the ancient Egyptians, who designed the temple with incredible precision.
The relocation of the temple in the 1960s, to prevent it from being submerged by the rising waters of Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan High Dam, was a significant achievement. Despite being moved 65 meters higher and 200 meters back from its original site, the solar alignment was preserved, though the event now occurs a day later than originally intended.
This extraordinary event draws large crowds of tourists and researchers to Abu Simbel twice a year, eager to witness this ancient marvel of Egyptian engineering. It’s a powerful reminder of the sophistication and ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians, as well as the enduring legacy of Pharaoh Ramses II. The solar alignment at Abu Simbel continues to inspire awe and curiosity, highlighting the importance of astronomy and architecture in ancient Egyptian civilization.
