Temple of Kom Ombo: A Tourist's Guide

One of Egypt's most distinctive and fascinating temples is the Temple of Kom Ombo. Because the temple was built to honour two gods, Sobek and Horus, rather than just one, making it the only twin temple in the nation, situated in a lovely setting on the banks of the Nile River.

The Temple of Kom Ombo should be visited for a variety of reasons.

• It is a one-of-a-kind double temple that is unlike any other in Egypt, to start with.
• Second, the temple's surroundings are just stunning.
• Third, there are a lot of fascinating objects and features in the temple.
• Fourth, it's important studying about the temple's lengthy history.

This guide will cover the history, Pylon, The Forecourt of Sobek and Haroeris, Hypostyle Hall, Temple's Sanctuary Area of Kom Ombo. It will also try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting the site, such as: When is the best time to go? Tips for visiting? How do I get there? - and more.

History Of Kom Ombo Temple 

The Arabic name "Kom" refers to the small hill, while the hieroglyphic word "Ombo" refers to "the gold" in ancient Egypt. The Pharaonic adjective "Nbty," which was derived from the word Nebo and meant "gold," is where the word Ombo genuinely got its start. The term Kom Ombo thus means "the hill of the gold." During the Coptic era, the name was somewhat changed to Enbo, and when Arabic started to be extensively spoken in Egypt, the term changed to "Ombo."

There is evidence that Kom Ombo was a hub for the creation of papyrus scrolls during the Old Kingdom when the region surrounding Kom Ombo was well-known for its papyrus production, which is located in the province of Edfu.

One of Egypt's most distinctive and fascinating temples is situated in Kom Ombo, a city that is 30 kilometres north of Aswan. The last dynasty in ancient Egypt, The Ptolemaic dynasty is the one who constructed the temple called Temple of Kom Ombo during the time they ruled Egypt from 305 BC to 30 BC and they are also known as Ptolemies of Greek descent. Pharaoh Ptolemy VI Philometor, who ruled from 180 BC to 145 BC, most likely constructed The Temple Of Kom Ombo.

What to see around Kom Ombo Temple

Kom Ombo's Pylon

The Pylon of Kom Ombo is the entrance to the temple and is located in the south-eastern corner of the complex. It is decorated with reliefs showing Ptolemy XII offering sacrifices to the gods.

The Pylon once had two entrances, but the left side of the temple completely disappeared, leaving only the central pillar and the lowest portions of the right wing.

The Forecourt of Sobek and Haroeris

The 16 columns that once encircled this forecourt's three sides are now only the lower portions, similar to Edfu's Temple of Horus. This location's reliefs, which depict Tiberius making offerings, are renowned for their vibrant colours. The courtyard's centre is occupied by a square altar foundation, while the other side is bordered by stone walls.

Recall: In the reliefs on the right-hand stone screen, Sobek is seen standing to the left, as Horus and Thoth pour consecration water over Neos Dionysos (Ptolemy XII).

The left-hand screen displays the same scene, except Haroeris is now in place of Sobek.

Hypostyle Hall

You enter the Hypostyle Hall by two doors from the Vestibule. Ten papyrus columns with flowery capitals support the roof of the room. Euergetes is shown presenting offerings to several gods on the column shafts, while he is conversing with the gods in wall reliefs.

The holy crocodile of Ombos can be seen between the vestibule's doors also Philometor, the elder brother of Euergetes II, is portrayed in reliefs presenting a gift to the falcon-headed Haroeris. This can be seen between the doorways leading into the temple's back portion.

Temple's Sanctuary Area

To access the sanctuary part of the temple, which is divided into two areas for the worship of Haroeris (to the left) and Sobek, enter through the two doors in the rear wall of the third antechamber (to the right). Each shrine had a black granite base for the sacred barque, which would have housed the god's image. There were several smaller rooms with crypts all around the temple gateways and chapels.

The Chapels and Birth House

The chapel of the goddess Hathor was constructed by the Roman emperor Domitian in her honour as well as some crocodile mummies. The Greeks identified Hathor with Aphrodite, an ancient Greek goddess associated with love. The bas-reliefs in the smaller chapels were painted as well, but they were incomplete. The "birth house" is a part of the Ptolemy VIII-built temple complex.

The Crocodile Museum Next To Kom Ombo Temple

The collection of mummified crocodiles is situated on the banks of the Upper Egyptian city of Aswan, right outside the Ptolemaic Kom Ombo temple. The museum, which is regarded as the biggest animal-focused museum in the world, examines several facets of Supak's devotion as well as the ritual mummification of alligators and other associated practices. In February 2012, the museum welcomed visitors for the first time.

Out of the forty mummified crocodiles discovered in Aswan, the museum exhibits 22 of them. In a big glass exhibit, the crocodiles are arranged on a sand hill so that visitors can observe how crocodiles spent their days in ancient Egypt.

Along with statues of the crocodile-god Sobek, who has a human body and a crocodile head, there are also a variety of crocodile coffins and wooden sarcophagi on show, as well as crocodile eggs and foetuses. There are also replicas of Sobek's original niches and tombs on exhibit.

Who will enjoy visiting the temple of Kom Ombo

Travellers of all types will find the temple of Kom Ombo to be an intriguing and distinctive visit.

• The temple's role in ancient Egyptian history can be discovered by those who are interested in history and archaeology.
• The temple is a serene destination for those who are interested in religion and spirituality.
• Of course, people who are just curious to view a stunning and uncommon place won't be let down.

The temple is distinctive because it is built symmetrically, with two identical sides facing one another. According to legend, this symmetry represents the crocodile god's dual nature, which was thought to be both good and bad. The temple is notably distinctive in that there is an entrance on either side of the structure.

There are many intriguing aspects for visitors to examine at the temple. Sobek and Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty, are depicted in reliefs that adorn the temple's main hall. The temple also contains several halls and sanctuaries that were used for different religious rituals.

When is the ideal season to visit Kom Ombo Temple?

Did you know that the winter season, from December to February, is the finest time to visit the Kom Ombo temple? It's chilly and dry outside, and there are fewer people about at this time of the year. The heat during this period makes it less likely that the temple will be closed.

So make plans for your trip during the winter if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy colder weather.

Getting to Kom Ombo Temple

You can go to Kom Ombo via private car, train, Felucca, or Nile cruise.

• You can catch the regional railway from either Luxor or Aswan. From Aswan and Luxor, cabs are readily available. Some visitors decide to take a taxi from Luxor to Aswan to combine their visits to the Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu's Temple of Horus, and Esna's Temple of Khnum to optimize their sightseeing time. Once you arrive in Kom Ombo, simply ask a local for directions to the temple.
• Almost every cruise ship that crosses the Nile between Luxor and Aswan includes a stop in Kom Ombo on its itinerary.
• Kom Ombo can also be reached by two-day felucca sailing from Aswan.

Tips for visiting the temple of Kom Ombo

Kom Ombo is a major tourist site in Egypt. A huge number of visitors go to the temple every year to view its distinctive architecture and discover its fascinating history. A few things you should bear in mind if you're thinking about visiting Kom Ombo to get the most out of your holiday. As you prepare to visit Kom Ombo, consider the following advice:

• Kom Ombo is one of the most popular tourist locations visited on Nile River cruise itineraries between Luxor and Aswan. Frequently, the busiest times on the site are from 10 am to 4 pm. Try to schedule your visit for early in the day or after 4 p.m. to avoid the Nile cruise boat throng, if you have control over your itinerary and are instead taking a day trip to the temples.
• If you wish to see Kom Ombo as well as the neighbouring town of Daraw with its famous camel market, come on Tuesday or Thursday.
• If you're hungry, a warm café close to the temple offers a comfortable place to sit after seeing the temple. It serves refreshing beverages and straightforward but healthy Egyptian food in a shaded courtyard close to the temple.
• If you intend to visit Kom Ombo and Silsila, wear comfortable walking shoes.
• It's important to remember that Kom Ombo is a religious site. As such, visitors should dress modestly and respectfully. This means covering your shoulders and knees and avoiding loud and disruptive behaviour.
• Lastly, don't forget to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. It's crucial to stay hydrated and shield yourself from the sun's harmful rays because the Egyptian sun can be very powerful.

You may make your trip to Kom Ombo secure, entertaining, and educational by remembering these few pieces of advice.