. . . . .This is the innermost sanctuary in the temple of Abu Simbel. A sacred place that contains the most revered gods of Ramesses time. From left to right they are: Ptah, of Memphis; Amun-Re, of Thebes; Ramesses II; and Re-Harakhte of Heliopolis. Twice a year, about February 21 and October 21 when the sun rises over the east bank of the Nile, a shaft of sunlight enters the door of the temple and travels 160 feet, past the Osiris pillars in the hypostyle hall, through a second hall, and into this sanctuary where it illuminates the three figures on the right. Ptah remains in darkness. Though the monument was moved in the 1960's AD, it was aligned so that this biannual solar event continues.
