Kom Ombo temple Aswan Egypt tours, prices, booking
Kom Ombo temple Aswan Egypt located in the town of Kom Ombo. In fact, the town is an industrial town 45 km north of Aswan. Its classical name was Ombos and its ancient name is Nebet. It placed between Edfu and Aswan as a garrison town on an important trading route. The Ptolemaic temple and ancient town site is a few kilometers from the modern town. It is on a promontory on the east bank of the Nile. In fact, Kom Ombo temple Aswan indeed is unusual. It dedicated to two triads of deities. Each with its own associated chambers and sanctuaries. Moreover, on the eastern side of the temple, the crocodile god Sobek honored with his wife. The wife here named as Hathor and their son Khonsu.
Furthermore, on the west side, Haroeris or “Horus the Elder” accompanied by his wife Hathor-ta-sent-nefert. They also accompanied by and their son Panebtawy (Lord of the Two Lands). It is likely that there were also two separate priesthoods who tended the deities. In fact, Kom Ombo temple main entrance pylon now destroyed. The entering through a portal at the southeast the visitor comes into a large court. It is with remains of a Roman columned portico which still has good color in some places on the walls. In the center of the court stands the base of an altar. It is with granite basins on either side which maybe used to catch ritual libations. The main part of the temple begun by Ptolemy VI Philometor, as his is the earliest name recorded.
Further details about Kom Ombo temple Aswan Egypt:
The first hypo-style hall is behind typical Ptolemaic pillars and screen walls. It has ornate floral columns. Moreover, it also with well-preserved ritual scenes on the walls. Ptolemy VIII Neos Dionysos shown on the right hand side. He makes offerings to four mythical beasts. It was Ptolemy VII Auletes and Ptolemy VIII. They completed the decoration of the hypo-style halls. Other Ptolemies and Romans also contributed to various parts of the temple. In the second hypo-style there is a Greek inscription. The inscription records details of troops stationed in the area. It is during the time of Ptolemy VII and his queen Cleopatra II. Three antechambers behind the second hypo-style almost destroyed. In fact, they led to the twin sanctuaries of Sobek and Haroeris. It features their associated cult chambers on either side.
Between the two sanctuaries there was a hidden chamber. Thought it is where the priest acting as the “Oracle” concealed. There are underground tunnels and crypts leading to this and other chambers. The sanctuaries themselves are in poor condition. The pedestals on which the gods’ sacred barques rested still remain. Kom Ombo temple Aswan has a passageway which runs around the outside of the main temple building. It is like other Temples of this period, with a staircase leading to the roof. Inside enclosure wall at the rear of the temple is a famous relief. It depicts surgical instruments as suggested by many scholars. Other suggestions are that they are veterinary instruments or ritual implements.
More details about Kom Ombo temple Aswan Egypt:
In the center of the opposite wall is an unusual false door. The door shows both Sobek and Haroeris with their cult scepter. In fact, Sobek’s sign of power is a lion-headed wand. It is while Haroeris has a curious knife with legs. In the false door there is an oracle niche with “hearing ears” and “sacred eyes”. It is through which the priests deliver oracles to the people. They deliver to the people who wait outside the main part of Kom Ombo temple. Furthermore, above them the winged goddess Ma’at, holds up the sky. Throughout the temple, the two gods share cosmic power on an equal basis. Each in their own side of the central axis.
Back in the forecourt to the right of the temple entrance is a small chapel of Hathor. In fact, it is where those who are not too squeamish can see the stored remains. The remains of a mummified crocodile and some clay crocodile coffins. They excavated from a nearby animal cemetery. Crocodiles, which sacred to Sobek, thought to bred in a small pool on the western side of the temple. Here you can also see remains of a deep well with a circular staircase and a nilometer. Remains of a birth-house situated at the northwest corner. They are beyond the wall of the court and a portal of Ptolemy VII is at the northeast corner.
How to get to Kom Ombo temple Aswan Egypt:
In fact, most people visit Kom Ombo temple as part of a Nile cruise tour. It is also possible to get there by taxi from Aswan or Luxor. A local bus from Aswan to also stops at Kom Ombo, as does the Cairo to Aswan tourist train. Feluccas may also stop at the temple. Tickets for the temple cost 30 Egyptian which includes entrance to the crocodile museum.
