After having sailed to Edfu, we had breakfast and then rode in a horse-drawn buggy to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. The temple, built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC, is the most completely preserved of all the Egyptian temples. The temple of Edfu is the largest temple dedicated to Horus and Hathor of Dendera. It was the center of several festivals sacred to Horus; each year, "Hathor travelled south from her temple at Dendera to visit Horus at Edfu, and this event marking their sacred marriage was the occasion of a great festival and pilgrimage. It is the second largest temple in Egypt after Karnak. Important sacred site for ancient Egyptians because, according to ancient myth, this is where the falcon-headed god, Horus, fought a battle with his uncle, Seth, who had cruelly murdered Horus's father Osiris. It's said that Horus, like Jesus - or Jesus, like Horus - was born of a virgin, had twelve disciples, walked on water, delivered a 'sermon on the mount', performed miracles, was executed beside two thieves, and then rose from the dead to ascend into heaven. We returned to the boat for lunch and a relaxing afternoon before heading to Kom Ombo Temple in the evening. The temple is unique in its dedication to two different deities. It is perfectly symmetrical along its main axis, with one side dedicated to the local crocodile-headed god, Sobek, and the opposite side honouring the falcon-headed god, Horus. Two of the more famous and unique reliefs here depict a calendar and a set of medical instruments. I was amazed at how deeply the relief images are carved into the stone. Over 300 mummified crocodiles have been found in the vicinity and several are on display in a small museum here. Before returning to the boat for the night, I purchased a Mo Salah Egypt jersey.
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