In Egypt’s Fayoum Governorate, December 21, 2024, was a special day marked by a unique celebration. Residents witnessed the alignment of the sun with the Holy of Holies of the Qasr Qaroun Temple, located near the western end of Lake Qaroun in the governorate.
This remarkable phenomenon, known as the “winter solstice,” illuminated the temple’s sanctuary dedicated to the crocodile deity Sobek, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun.
During this event, the sun first illuminated Horus of Behdet, the winged solar disk atop the temple’s entrance, before slowly moving through the temple to illuminate the central chapel of the Holy of Holies, where the sacred barque of the god Sobek is believed to rest.
The rays of light then moved towards the chapel on the right, which is supposed to house the statue of Sobek, while the chapel on the left remained plunged into darkness. This extraordinary spectacle is a testament to the symbiosis between this natural phenomenon and the region’s emblematic animal, the crocodile, which moves from the east bank to the west bank of the river at sunrise and sunset.
The Governor of Fayoum, Gamal Samy, and many dignitaries attended this ceremony full of mystery and symbolism. This special moment undoubtedly strengthened the bond between the local population and their age-old cultural and spiritual heritage.
The alignment of the sun with the temple of Qasr Qaroun on the day of the winter solstice reminds the inhabitants of Fayoum of the importance of preserving and celebrating their historical and religious heritage. It is through such unique and inspiring events that the magic and grandeur of ancient Egypt is perpetuated, astonishing current and future generations.