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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A beam from the rising sun hits the innermost sanctuary to illuminate the statues of King Rameses II, his wife Nefertari, and god Amun Re, leaving Ptah the God of the underworld in darkness. This phenomenon happens on the same two dates — Rameses’s II birth, Oct. 22, and his coronation day, Feb. 22 — each year in Abu Simbel temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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Tourists gaze at the illuminated statues at the entrance of the holy of the holiness sanctuary in Abu Simbel temple during the rituals of the sun festival in Abu Simbel temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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“I was worried before I come because we hear in the Japanese news that Egypt is dangerous and it's a dictatorship," said a visitor from Japan. "But when I came all my worries has vanished, it's a nice and safe country and Egyptian people are so friendly and nice.” In Abu Simbel temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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It is a day of bounty for Ehab Saad, a souvenir vendor. "I’m that I’m able to make some money which I didn’t make for sometime,” he said. Egyptian tourism has suffered in the years of turmoil following the 2011 revolution at Tahrir Square. In Abu Simbel temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
