The Temple of Karnak is the Biggest Ancient Religious Site on Earth
Egyptian Temples & Tombs | admin | March 1, 2010 at 12:05 amThe Temple of Karnak is an open-air museum holding a huge complex of ruined temples, chapels, pylons (monumental gateways), and other buildings including the spectacular Temple of Amen and a huge structure initiated by Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1391-1351 BC). Sprinkled close to Luxor at 500 km from Cairo, the region surrounding this complex was once the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut (The Most Sacred Places). Regarded as the prime site of worship of the Theban Triad, it belongs to the monumental city of Thebes.
After the pyramids, the Temple of Karnak is the mostly visited site in Egypt. The complex holds four main parts (precincts) among which the Precinct of Amun-Re, is the largest and the only structure open to public. The other three are the Precinct of Montu, the Precinct of Mut, and the dismantled Temple of Amenhotep IV, are closed to the public. A handful of smaller temples and sanctuaries outside the bordering walls of these precincts as well as many avenues of human and ram-headed sphinxes linking the Mut, the Amun-Re, and Luxor Temple are seen even today. What makes Karnak unique from the other historic sites in Egypt is the time taken for its development during which some 30 pharaohs were employed.
Major Structures
Precinct of Amun-Re
Dedicated to Amun-Re, the principal deity of the Theban Triad – Amun, the sacred temple is built along the two axes – east-west and north-south. It is made from sandstone of Gebel Silsila located at 100 miles on the Nile River. Its entrance is from the west via a quay made by Ramesses II, which was a gateway through a canal linked to the Nile. At the right, a small barque chapel of Hakoris marking as a resting place at the time of the ceremonial processions of the gods to and from the Nile is seen. Next, an avenue of ram-headed sphinxes representing the great God, Amun, starting from the quay takes you to the first pylon in unfinished state. Each of them has a king’s statue between their paws. Besides these, one of the largest obelisks is here that is 29 m in height.
Precinct of Montu
Located to the north of the Amun-Re and much smaller, this is devoted to the Theban war god Montu – the son of Amun-Re and Mut. Seem to be a treasury made by Tuthmosis I in the Temple of Karnak, a structure outside the east border wall was found that hold a barque station of Amun and storerooms and workshops.
Precinct of Mut
Located to the south of the Amen-Re complex, this is devoted to Mut, the Egyptian mother goddess. The precinct holds the crescent-shaped holy lake called Isheru, the temple of Ramesses III, the temple of Mut, the temple of Nectanebo II, the barque shrine of Thutmose III and Hatshepsut, and the temple of Khonspekhrod. Further, the Sanctuary of Amun-Kamutef is outside its wall.
Temple of Amenhotep IV (Dismantled)
This was built by Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) to the east of the main complex that saw its decline after his death.
Hypostyle Hall
Accessed via the second pylon, this is the most famous structure representing the primeval papyrus swamp and holding 134 columns including 12 taller central ones. Raised at 21 m, the larger columns possess open papyrus capitals, while the smaller have closed ones. The construction was initiated by Amenhotep III followed by decorations of Seti I and culmination by his son Ramesses II.
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The key difference between Karnak and most of the other temples and sites in Egypt is the length of time over which it was developed and used.
It contains evidence of adaptations, using buildings of the Ancient Egyptians by later cultures for their own religious purposes.