Visitors from across the world gathered Thursday in Aswan, Egypt, for a rare glimpse of a unique event that still amazes the world - when the sun rays go inside the corridor of the Abu Simbel temples and perpendicular on the faces of Ramses II, his wife, Queen Nefertari and the god Amun on the back wall. It happens twice a year on the same two dates: October 22, Ramses II's birthday, and on his coronation day, February 22.
Egypt's Twice-Annual Sun Phenomenon Wows Crowds
- By VOA News
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Tourists at the 3,000-year-old Abu Simble temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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Tourists wait at Abu Simbel temple to see the phenomenon that takes place two times per year, Feb. 22 and Oct. 22, at Abu Simbel temple, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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In light of Egypt's recent history of terrorist attacks at sites frequented by international tourists, security was tight at Abu Simbel temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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Tourists pose for a group portrait at Abu Simbel temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, after the rituals of the sun festival ended, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
