Dendera | Nile | Valley of The Kings | Karnak | Abu Simbel | Hieroglyphs | Cartouches | Luxor temple | Hatshepsut | British Musuem | Changing Gallery | Edfu | Philae | Colossi | Kom Ombo | Mummified Animals | Sphinx | Pyramids| Home | About Egyptianholiday
The interior of Abu Simbel temple has a great hypostyle hall, small hypostyle hall, two vestibules and a cella. The great hypostyle hall is flanked by eight statutes which represent Ramesses II as the God Osiris. The statutues on the right wear a double crown which symbolises the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt . Whilst the statutes on the left wear only the crown of Upper Egypt .
Other points of interest in the great hypostyle hall (or pronaos) is that there are carvings on the north wall. These carvings include depiction of the various phases of Ramesses II greatest victory at the battle of Kadesh against theHittites.. The carvings also show the pharaoh’s military campaign against the Hittites. Whilst the cella (or sanctuary) has four statues, three Egyptian gods and one depicting Ramessess II as a deity. The three gods are
The statutes are more than a random selection and positioning of four figures. This fact is demonstrated by the solstices in February and October of each year. During the solstice light penetrates the room and illuminates three statutes; Amun-Re, Ramessess II and Re-Harakhty (Hamarkhis). The statute of Ptah is not illuminated and this isn’t surprising as he is the Egyptian god of darkness.
On the ceiling within the temple Nekket the vulture shaped goddess is illustrated. She is seen as a protector of the king.