Abu Simbel temple hosts annual solar alignment phenomenon

Hundreds of tourists and local residents gathered at dawn in Abu Simbel, southern Egypt, to witness a rare solar phenomenon at the Great Temple of Ramesses II. Occurring twice a year on February 22 and October 22, the event involves a beam of sunlight penetrating approximately 60 meters into the temple's dark inner sanctuary.

The sunlight illuminates the statues of Ramesses II and two deities, Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty, while the statue of the god Ptah remains in shadow. The alignment, which lasts roughly 20 minutes, is a result of the temple's precise architectural orientation. While popular tradition links these dates to the pharaoh's birthday and ascension to the throne, historical documentation for these specific connections is not certain.

To mark the occasion, local performers in colorful attire danced to traditional music, including the sounds of the tabla and mizmar. Officials noted the event's significance for cultural tourism, with approximately 7,000 foreign tourists participating in the festivities. The temple itself was famously relocated in the 1960s to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan High Dam.