Temple of Edfu – The Second Largest in Egypt
Egyptian Temples & Tombs | March 11, 2010The Temple of Edfu is dedicated to the falcon-headed sky god, Horus with sun and moon as the eyes and is located in the town of Edfu located between Luxor and Aswan in Egypt. Also known as the Temple of Horus built during the Ptolemaic era from 257 to 237 A.D, it is the best maintained temple in Egypt today. The temple of Edfu is the second grand temple after the Karnak temple and exhibits the typical pharaonic architecture through one can make out the original work of these ancient Egyptian temples. Today, Edfu is a famous site that is accessible via a taxi or Nile cruise.
The temple is currently oriented north-south and was buried under the sand since many centuries that has actually kept it intact.
Horus Attractions
- Birth House:
Before entering via the Pylon from the south, visit this pillared structure exhibiting a Greco-Roman style on the left where the annual Festival of Coronation was held. In this festival, the sacred Horus’ birth and that of the ruling pharaoh were stimulated. Behind this, reliefs of Horus and Isis are seen. According to the legend, Horus was the divine child of Isis and Osiris who was brought up by Isis and Hathor due to assassination of Osiris by his brother Seth. Horus took the revenge of his father’s death at Edfu in a battle. On his enthrone ceremony; it was believed as if Osiris was ruling from the underworld. This gained a faith that all pharoahs are incarnation of Horus. - Pylon:
Built by Ptolemy IX (88-81 BC), surprisingly, this was included later and is now among the largest ones in the country. The reliefs depict a Ptolemaic ruler VIII, Neos Dionysos before Horus. - Court of Offerings:
This is a spacious area after the Pylon where people made offerings to Horus. Encircled by columns, the court holds festival reliefs depicting the Festival of the Beautiful Meeting wherein Hathor sails from Dendera to meet Horus personally for some time in the sanctuary here prior to the return. Below the west arcade, reliefs of Ptolemy IX (88-81 BC) is shown providing offerings to Horus, Hathor, and Ihy along with his successor. Behind the court, two black granite Horus statues are a favorite spot of photography where one is taller to a man and the other lies on the ground. - The Hypostyle Hall:
Built under Ptolemy VII (145-116 BC), this is a rectangular area holding two rows of six pillars holding the unharmed roof along with the astronomical paintings in the ceiling signifying the sky. Come here with a torch to see two attractive rooms at the entrance: the Chamber of Consecrations (left) – the king’s or priest’s dressing area for ceremonies and the Library (right) – the home of sacred texts and reliefs of Sheshat, the goddess of lettering. - Festive Hall:
This is the oldest area built in 237-212 BC under Ptolemy III and IV. As with the name, the hall used to be adorned with flowers, herbs, and incense on festivals. Perishable offerings such as fruits and sacrificial animals were kept on the right, while the nonperishable ones were maintained to the left. The Laboratory is in the northwest wherein the recipes for incense are found on walls. - Hall of Offerings:
From the Festive Hall, a small entryway holding beautiful reliefs of the holy barques of Horus and Hathor takes you here. Depicted on the walls of staircases is the event of the New Year Festival wherein the image of Horus was taken upwards through the up going stairway for recharging it via the sun and then coming down. You will need a flashlight to see this. - Sanctuary of Horus:
Next comes this most sacred area that holds a black-granite shrine made by Nectanebo II where there was once golden wooden carving of Horus. Here, you will see an offering table and the ceremonial barque that was used to carry Horus on festivals. The right wall reliefs depict Philopator (Ptolemy IV) revering Horus, Hathor, and his blessed parents.
Visitors can explore the complex between 7 am to 4 pm with the fee of £E35.
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In particular, the Temple’s inscribed building texts “provide details of its construction, and also preserve information about the mythical interpretation of this and all other temples as the Island of Creation.”
There are also “important scenes and inscriptions of the Sacred Drama which related the age-old conflict between Horus and Seth.”.