Temple of Esna

Temple of Esna. • Where is the Temple of Esna Located? • When was the Temple of Esna Built? • The Importance of Rituals in Ancient Esna Temple • The Modern Town of Esna. The Temple of Esna was built on the remnants of an Ancient Temple which dates back to the Era of Thutmose III, this was after inscriptions were discovered bearing the name of the King in the Temple, however the present one which was designed during the reign of King Ptolemy, who had an alias known as Philomater which translates into Lover of his Mother, and was then included in to a Hall of Legends in the Roman Era. Also the famous French Scientist Champollion visited Esna Temple on 1828AD. The City of Esna houses a few of the most well known Ancient Egyptian Temples, and was one of the most esteemed Cities in Ancient Egyptian Civilization, throughout the Roman and Ptolemaic Periods their influence can be strongly distinguished in the Temples around the Area, including the Temple of Esna, which is also known by the name of the Temple of Khnum. Where is the Temple of Esna Located ? The Temple of Esna is located approx.. 485 Miles of Modern Cairo and the Town of Esna stands on the West Bank of the River Nile. In Ancient Egyptian Times it was once known as Senat, and later as Latopolis by the Greeks. , Esna the City of the Fish called this because the Perch Fish was worshipped as Godly, is home to Esna Temple. When was the Temple of Esna Built? The Temple of Esna which was devoted to the Ram headed God Khnum who is the God of Creation, started the construction during King Thutmoses III reign during the Eighteenth Dynastym however the Temple was completed during the Ptolemaic Period which was between 40-250 AD, The inscriptions found on the Temple wall show the important figures related to the Creation of the Temple of Esna, which is also known as the Temple of Khnum. Remnants of the Temple of Esna consists of a Hall of Columns with Twenty Four Pillars which are exsquistley decorated with Lotus Flowers and Palm Trees. The Walls are covered with Four Rows of Reliefs which define Ptolemaic and Roman Emperors dressed in Pharaoh clothing, offering sacrifices to the God Khnum. On both sides of the Temple’s entrance there are Chambers that were used by the Priests and the Keepers of the Temple as rooms for storeage. Bordering the entrance to each of the Rooms, you will see Emperor Trajan being carried in a Litter by six Priests, wearing the Hawk and Jackal Masks of the Gods. The most compelling inscriptions in the Temple are the ones you will discover on the Roof, which is adorned with Astronomical Portrails. On the Left Hand Side of the Gateway of the Temple you can view the Sky Goddess Nut, Orions Belt, the Dog Star and Alpha Draconis also known as the Dragon Star. You will see the God Horus who is the God of Victory and the God Khnum dragging a net full of Fish from the River Nile, on the Western Walls of the Façade of the Temple, including Reliefs of Birds. Noteably at the base of the representation is the last known Hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded which was finalized by the Roman Emperor Dios in 250AD, The Importance of Rituals in Ancient Esna Temples. Upon entry to the Temple of Esna it is easy to see the attention to detail used while constructing this Temple. Regarded to be a Sacred Place of Worship, the Ancient Egyptians who entered the Temple of Esna obeyed with the strict Rules regarding Ritual Purity. The inscriptians which are carved on the Walls of the Temple suggests the severe Rules they had to follow in order to enter the Temple, this included the cutting of their Fingernails also their Toenails, cleaning of their Hands with a natural Salt which was known as Natron, to be attired in Linen, also to have abstained from any form of physical contact for several days. The Modern Town of Esna Famous among the Tourists the Modern Town of Esna is known for it’s barrage Bridges built on the River Nile by the British in 1906, also the Electricity Bridge built in the 1990s, Esna is a frequent stop for Nile Cruise Tours which are passing by the City. The Tourists usually visit the Temple of Esna, while the Ship’s Captain will navigate through the Lock System. There is an added attraction for the Tourists who are visiting Esna and that is the energetic Outdoor Market which lies a few Streets along from the Nile Corniche.