Luxor Temple: The Dazzling Preservation of a Culture

 Continues from Karnak Temple: The Most Perfect of Places

We reached Luxor temple in the mid afternoon. It is a sacred place of wonderful architecture built since 1550 B.C. The afternoon heat scorched on our thickly tanned bodies. Yet, we wanted to visit the last temple in our itinerary.

Entrance to Luxor Temple

The massive entrance pylon built by Rameses II welcomed us. Two colossal seated statues of Ramesse edged the entrance in all grace. There was one obelisk on the left side of the entrance with names of Ramesses II, Horace, Amun and the King’s favourite Gods on each vertical side. However, the space for Obelisk on the right side was vacant. Nariman explained that the obelisk had been carried to France and now can be seen at Place de la Concorde, in Paris.

Headless Statues of Luxor temple

We entered the Luxor temple. Just inside the temple was a mosque built over the ruins. Compared to the other Egyptian temples that we had already visited, Luxor was in a less preserved state. Arrays of headless statues stood around the courtyard. 

Roman Mural

It seems invaders considered Luxor temple as a catch for them. The Roman invaders made the temple and its surroundings as a fortress for the Roman government. There was one Roman mural on the temple wall depicting the Christian devotees.

Nariman ushered us to the court of Amenhotop II. A better preserved area in the temple, it was flanked by double rows of Papyrus columns with bud capitals. The reliefs on both sides of the hall depicted Amenhotop II's coronation by the Gods.

Nariman left us there to admire the beautiful architecture by ourselves. We roamed around the yard of the Theban triad-Amun, Mut and Chons. This is the same place where ancient Egyptians gathered to praise their protectors and celebrated the famous Opet festival. This is where, the Christians had raised their church and Muslims later conducted their prayers. 

Sphinx Avenue

Yet, there was not much for our eyes in the temple and we came out. We were soon led to the Sphinx Avenue that once led all the way to the Karnak temple. The sphinxes still remained in better condition.

It was time for us to retreat to our cruise. We relished the welcome drink and the wet towels offered as we’d entered the boat. There was a relaxing afternoon ahead us to get prepared for next day’s travel.

Continues in The Valley of Kings!