Ramses II built his temple at Abu Simbel so that the inner chamber was illuminated twice a year: once on the anniversary of his accession (in February, around the 22nd) and once on his birthday (in October, around the 22nd). Every year for the Sun Festival, crowds gather before sunrise to watch the stream of light gradually creep through the stone and illuminate the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun in the central chamber. Only the statue of Ptah – the god of darkness – remains in shadow even on these two special days!

temple of hatshepsut,mortuary temple of hatshepsut,hatshepsut temple,hatshepsut,temple of hatshepsut egypt,temple,queen hatshepsut,hatshepsut temple luxor,hatshepsut temple egypt,hatshepsut temple inside,temple of hatshepsut luxor,valley of the kings,temple of hatshepsut luxor egypt,loot treasures temple of hatshepsut,mortuary tempe of hatshepsut,all loot treasures temple of hatshepsut,temple of hatshepsut all loot treasures