We did not have much on agenda today luckily :) We now started getting home-sick(wanted to go back soon)....
Early in the morning, the cruise docked at Edfu port and sitting in a horse-carriage we reached the temple of Edfu. The carriage man proudly displayed a picture of Amitabh Bacchan ... quite a funny coincidence!
Temple of Edfu is dedicated to Horus, the Phoenix God. The most interesting thing about this temple is the vivid depiction of story showing battle between God Horus and God Seth (his uncle).
Apparently Isis (mother of Horus) told him about how his father (Osiris) died and how Seth was responsible for it; Horus promised her to take the revenge by killing Seth.
Apparently Isis (mother of Horus) told him about how his father (Osiris) died and how Seth was responsible for it; Horus promised her to take the revenge by killing Seth.
The paintings on both sides of tall walls in a narrow path surrounding the main temple are simply mind blowing .. the kind of details carved through them, Seth taking shape of a hippopotamus/snake while Horus in a boat with his army men bent upon to kill this poisonous water snake/hippopotamus ....
Inside the temple, the main story depicted is between Horus and his wife Hathor showing lots of men carrying both of their 'boats of life'. Ancient Egyptians had a strong faith that in your after life, one has to travel in his/her boat of next life and have to defeat all the hurdles (in the form of slaves and poisonous snakes that would come to attack you during your journey) before one can get 'nirvana'!
There is a model (copy, not sure if the original boat model is at British museum), of such a boat believed to be boat for both Horus/Hathor(after they got married) kept in the holy of the holiest (the innermost part of the temple).
We got back to the boat by 10 am and right after started the journey towards Luxor (our final destination). At the same time, came to know that our guide Mr. Nassr had a family emergency and we were going to be greeted by yet another guide when we reach Luxor.
There was still sunlight (5 pm) when we reached Luxor harbor. We had met another couple Tushar and Bijal on the boat and all of us decided to go to the local 'Sukh' market in Luxor. Common (public) taxi was cheap (1 egyptian pound per person) each way and we enjoyed the short ride. Later realized that Mr. Tushar was the best haggler ever ... with his smooth and sweet talking he made the shopkeeper sell me a a beautiful Egyptian (Nubian) scarf for 20 pounds (originally rated at 58 pounds) :) I was extremely impressed! Hail Tushar! They were such a nice couple ... we got along just fine ... enjoyed a nice movenpick ice cream and got back the cruise after 2 hours.
Got ready relatively quickly to go for 'Karnak Sound and Light show'. Amazing! Totally recommended.
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