The Temple of Kom Ombo

Sitting on the banks of the River Nile is an unconventional temple with a double design named the Temple of Kom Ombo. It was built during the Ptolemaic dynasty (180 - 47 BC), in the town of Kom Ombo in the city of Aswan.  The temple was built to worship the gods Haroeris, and Sobek. The northern side of the temple is dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris (“Horus the Elder''), along with Tasenetnofret (the Goddess Sister, a special form of Hathor or Tefnut, and Panebtawy (Lord of the Two Lands). The southern part of the temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world along with Hathor and Khonsu.

Sobek: Sebek or Sobek is among the earliest deity names inscribed on tomb walls and pyramid texts. He was the lord of the crocodiles and was usually represented by a crocodile head. In fact, Ancient Egyptians believed that the river Nile emerged from Sobek’s sweat. Thus, ancient Egyptians worshiped Sobek to placate and serve him and his crocodiles in a bid to ensure the fertility of their people and crops. Haroeris: Haroeris or Horus the elder is one of the oldest and most revered gods of ancient Egypt. He is the god of the sky whose eyes were the sun, and the moon - represented by a falcon head with a human body wearing a double crown embellished with a cobra.  Sobek-Horus merger: After a broil, Sobek was banished and Horus became the city's only king. However, with his exile, the region suffered great evils, forcing Sobek and Horus to reestablish ties and lead Egypt in tandem, thus the temple of Kom Ombo was established to coronate this momentous merger.

This location is a true gem, allowing you to bask in the majesty of the great pharaohs. Upon arrival, you will see two identical entrances leading to identical halls. Each hall has columns bearing magnificent drawings and engravings depicting historical stories and even an ancient Egyptian calendar. Inside the temple, you will be able to see holy places highlighting the extent of the relationship and enshrinement of these gods that priests continue to visit until the Roman era in Egypt. The location of the temple was the center of a group of statues that have special sanctity for the ancient Egyptians. In ancient days the temple was filled with worshippers visiting as a pilgrimage ritual, believing in the temple’s healing powers. They were visiting the great god Horus who was believed to be a doctor which was the reason that the back wall of the temple was decorated with medicinal tools such as medicine bottles, forceps, and birthing chairs.  Now you can visit the temple yourself and witness the beauty yourself.