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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Some tourists spent the night at the temple to be the first in line to watch the phenomena of a beam from the rising sun illuminating the statues of King Rameses II, his wife Nefertari, and God Amun Re, leaving Ptah the God of underworld in darkness. At Abu Simbel temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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Tourists, in traditional dress, wait for the beam of the rising sun to illuminate the Holy of the Holiness sanctuary in Abu Simbel temple. In Abu Simbel temple in Aswan, southern Egypt, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
