Edfu

Etchings of priests descending in the Temple of Edfu.
Etchings of priests descending in the Temple of Edfu.

Our moving home Oberoi Zahra has departed Aswan, sailing downstream (north). The ship is quite steady, you would not know we were moving if you were in a completely enclosed space. The soft rumble of the engines is comforting and disappears when you are on the top deck, up there there is a nice breeze to accompany the changing panorama.

Heading north on the Oberoi Zahra.
Heading north on the Oberoi Zahra.
The shore is lined with many sights.
The shore is lined with many sights.
Morning breakfast.
Morning breakfast.
Herder and his flock.
Herder and his flock.
Other Nile boats being assisted upstream.
Other Nile boats being assisted upstream.

Our next destination is the city of Edfu and the Temple of Edfu. Built in the Ptolemaic dynasty for worshiping the god Horus, it is one of the most intact temples discovered in Egypt. The temple took 180 years to complete, starting under Ptolemy III and being completed by Ptolemy XII. The pylons in the front are quite massive and are decorated with scenes of Ptolemy XII in battle and worshiping. The temple contains scenes of its honored god Horus and his battle with Seth, a bitter rival.

First pylon of Edfu Temple.
First pylon of Edfu Temple.
The pylons show scenes of Ptolemy XII conquering his enemies and worshiping the egyptian gods.
The pylons show scenes of Ptolemy XII conquering his enemies and worshiping the egyptian gods.
Our guide Mohamed approaching the first pylon of the temple.
Our guide Mohamed approaching the first pylon of the temple.
Tom, Kim and Horus.
Tom, Kim and Horus.
The forecourt of the temple.
The forecourt of the temple.

Like other Egyptian temples it eventually was disused and later damaged by defacing the etchings and deliberately set fires. The complex eventually filled with mud and sand which helped in preservation. It remained buried until 1860 when archaeologist Auguste Mariette began the recovery process.

Temple columns.
Temple columns.
A view inside the temple.
A view inside the temple. Note the fire damage on the roof inside.
The sanctuary at the centre of the temple with a replica of the wooden barque (boat) in which Horus’ statue would be taken out of the temple during processions.
The sanctuary at the centre of the temple with a replica of the wooden barque (boat) in which Horus’ statue would be taken out of the temple during processions.
Hallway inside the temple.
Hallway inside the temple.
Apparently ice cream and WiFi were available. In reality they represent a heart and ribs.
Apparently ice cream and WiFi were available. In reality they represent a heart and ribs.
Numbers in hieroglyphics. From the left the tadpoles are 100K, bent fingers 10K, coil of rope 100, upside down horsehoe (cattle) 10 and the square or single stroke 1. so 333,331.
Numbers in hieroglyphics. From the left the tadpoles are 100K, bent fingers 10K, coil of rope 100, upside down horsehoe (cattle) 10 and the square or single stroke 1. so 333,331.
Carvings in Edfu
Carvings in Edfu
The outside wall of the temple.
The outside wall of the temple.
Scenes from the tales of Horus and Seth.
Scenes from the tales of Horus and Seth.
Even in the narrowest of passages the walls were illustrated.
Even in the narrowest of passages the walls were illustrated.