Tour the Temple of Khnum, Aswan


Temple of Khnum

The Temple of Khnum in Aswan is an amazing sight, and was dedicated to the ancient god that fed his power to the Nile River. The temple offers an incredible way to experience Egypt's past!


Khnum Temple, Elephantine Island


You may run across budget tours or luxury tours that showcase a visit to Aswan’s Elephantine Island, where you can see the Temple of Khnum.


Who was Khnum?


What should you know about Khnum, the ideology, as well as the ancient holy temple? First understand who Khnum was. According to Egyptian mythology, Khnum was one of the first Egyptian Gods, and purported to be the source of power behind the Nile River. The annual flooding of the Nile River was believed to have been connected with Khnum’s creative powers, as he could bring “life” to his surroundings. He made children out of clay and from a potter's wheel and then put them in their mothers' wombs.

In fact, Khnum was so powerful he was described as having “molded” the other deities.

In Egyptian art, Khnum is usually depicted as having the head of a Ram, and of course, sitting at his potter's wheel. In fact, some point to Khnum’s artistic depictions as having influenced the bible visions of Ezekiel and Revelation.


What to See?


What still stands of the Temple of Khnum in Aswan? Unfortunately, this once great temple is mostly in ruins today. Many believe this once glorious temple was started by Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty, continued by the Ptolemies, and then completed by the Romans.

Nowadays, the temple is located in the middle of the modern town at a level about nine meters below its surroundings. At the most recent excavation, the hypostyle hall was found and it was relatively well preserved. There are presumably other remains of the temple, but they are buried underneath surrounding buildings of Elephantine Island.

Other monuments that have been discovered include carvings of Alexander IV of Macedon worshiping Khnum, as well as painted pillars and several altars carved with Greek inscriptions. In front of the temple you can see the remains of a Christian church as well as a Sekhmet statue.


The Walls Inside the Temple


On the walls inside the Temple of Khnum you may notice some striking artistic scenes illustrating the king feeding the arms of his enemies to the lions. This was a form of honor to the Pharaoh and to his God, as often times the state religion would change with each new Pharaoh’s reign.

If you see the Temple of Khnum offered in a budget tour or desert tour then don’t pass up the chance to visit this piece of religious history. Learn more about Khnum, one of Egypt’s earliest deities.



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