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Facts about Opet festival

  • 05 16, 2023

The Opet Festival in Ancient Egypt

The Aisle of Rams was used during the annual Opet festival, one of the most important festivities in Ancient Egypt. The harvest season at the period of October to November was the time for the epochal event that was dedicated to local Theban Triad comprising the god Amun, his wife the goddess Mut and their son Khonsu. 

During Thutmosis III’s rule, the duration of these festivities was 11 days and this was increased to 24 days and then 27 days during the New Kingdom. The Opet Festival, which is the most renowned of all fraternity festivals of Karnak, unfolded within the precincts of the temple of Karnak.

Three statues representing the gods were placed in boats carried by priests along the great alley to reach Luxor temple and then return. The walls of Hatshepsut’s chapel at the temple of Karnak illustrate the ceremonies of the Opet festival.

In addition to the inscriptions in Hatshepsut's chapel at Karnak temple, they can also be found on the east and west walls of the great courtyard of columns at Luxor temple, built during the reign of the young king Tutankhamun, as well as in the temple of the god Khonsu at Karnak and in the Ramesseum and Habu temples located a few kilometres from Luxor and Karnak temples.

How was Opet celebrated? The festival began with the king lighting incense, offering wine in honor of the god Amun and presenting him with bouquets of flowers. The king placed the offerings in the boats carrying the Theban triad: Amun, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu. These boats were then carried by bald, lizard-clad priests from the Third Pylon, built by Amenhotep III, to the Nile. The procession included flag-bearers, soldiers, bands of musicians and orchestra with trumpeters and drummers, as well as dancers who cheerfully accompanied the crowd.

This triad left Karnak temple on a celebratory barge bound for Luxor temple, where they stayed for some time. Arriving at Luxor temple, the barks were once again greeted by pedestrian soldiers, others on their chariots, dancers, musicians and offering bearers. It was here that butchers began sacrificing oxen.

The barks were again carried by priests of similar appearance, through a second hypostyle courtyard to the interior of Luxor temple, where they were seated in small chapels created especially for the occasion. After their stay at Luxor temple, the procession returned to Karnak temple.

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The Opet Festival was one of the most significant religious festivals in ancient Egypt. It was celebrated annually during the New Kingdom period, which spanned from the 16th century BCE to the 11th century BCE, and it continued into later periods of Egyptian history as well. The festival was dedicated to the god Amun (sometimes spelled "Amon" or "Amen"), who was one of the major deities in the Egyptian pantheon.

The Opet Festival had several purposes and symbolic meanings.

Renewal of Amun's Power: The primary purpose of the festival was to renew the power and vitality of the god Amun. It was believed that during this time, Amun would manifest his presence and rejuvenate his divine strength.

Reunion of Amun and the Pharaoh: The festival involved a ceremonial procession from the temple of Karnak to the temple of Luxor, symbolizing the journey of Amun from his main temple in Karnak to his other sanctuary in Luxor. This journey was seen as a reunion between Amun and the pharaoh, emphasizing the pharaoh's divine connection and the god's protection of Egypt.

Offerings and Worship: Throughout the festival, priests and devotees would make offerings to Amun, including food, drink, and valuable items, to seek the god's favor and blessings.

Community Celebration: The Opet Festival was a grand public event, and it often included music, dance, feasting, and other forms of entertainment, making it a time of communal celebration.

Symbolism of Renewal: The festival also had symbolic significance related to the annual flooding of the Nile River. Just as the Nile's flooding renewed the fertility of the land, the Opet Festival symbolized the renewal of divine power and the prosperity of Egypt.

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