The Hindu Business Line : The queen's temple

Only a few women ruled ancient Egypt as Pharaohs, and among them the most important was Queen Hatshepsut of the `New Kingdom,' which had such great pharaohs as Amenhotep, Thutmose and Tutankhamun. Her rule (1473-1458 B.C.) saw the construction of magnificent temples dedicated to ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses.

The dynasty was noted for its magnificent temples at Karnak, Luxor and, later, at Abu Simbel. Queen Hatshepsut carried on the tradition of temple constructions and embellished them with immense contributions.

The Temple of Hatshepsut is located near the city of Luxor in Middle Egypt, on the west bank of river Nile. It is situated in a spectacular natural amphitheatre, the place — now known as `Deir Al-Bahari' in Arabic — chosen by the queen's chief architect, Senenmut.

The Thebes mountains form the backdrop to the temple. Archaeologist Neville discovered the ruins in 1891, which led to renovation work, stone by stone; but nothing matches the brilliance of the ancient master-craftsmen.

A gently rising avenue, once flanked by sphinxes and surrounded by gardens, leads to the temple-complex built on a raised platform in a series of terraces. A large courtyard, once filled with flowerbeds, and a colonnade come into view next.

A second ramp gives access to the upper level. The terrace has two porticos with a chapel each, dedicated to Goddess Hathor and God Anubis. The third terrace contains the hypostyle hall of which only a few columns remain.

On the left are two chapels dedicated to the royal cult of Queen Hatshepsut and another to Pharaoh Thutmose I. There is another chapel built in honour of the solar cult of Ra-Horakty.

At the end of the hall is the entrance to the shrine of Amun, worshipped by the pharaoh and the common man alike in those days. The bas-reliefs on the walls depict important events in the queen's life, such as her efforts to build the magnificent pink obelisks in the Karnak temple-complex in honour of Amun, on the east bank in Luxor.

The statues depict her with male features such as a beard. Ritual hunting and fishing are also depicted in the bas-reliefs. The columns and walls have hieroglyphic inscriptions.

The queen is believed to have died a tragic death, plotted by her stepson, Thutmose III. He also had her temples, statues and bas-reliefs destroyed or disfigured. But the memory of the queen who ruled with distinction and purpose lives on.

Pictures by the author

Fact file

How to get there: Luxor is accessible by road, rail and air from Cairo.

Where to stay: The city has many hotels to suit different budgets.

When to visit: November to March.

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