The temple is built by Ramesses
II and dedicated to his chief wife Nefertari and goddess
Hathor .
He inscribed his dedication in hieroglyphics
on the façade.
This temple is also cut in the mountain with its façade
imitating the sloping shape of a pylon.
The façade contains 4 colossi
of Ramesses and 2 of his wife Nefertari cut in recesses with
statues of their children surrounding their legs. They are about
10 meters (33 ft) in height. The door of the temple is in the
middle and divides the colossi into two groups of three statues
on its sides.
Hypostyle
Hall:
The hypostyle hall is flanked with 6 columns, 3 on each side,
with elaborated Hathor capitals (see Image 1).
On the walls, Ramesses is shown smiting his enemies in the
presence of his wife and several deities. In other reliefs
he's portrayed in offering scenes.
Antechamber
and Sanctuary:
Three doors lead to a vestibule with unfinished subsidiary
rooms at either end. The rooms are probably cut for storage
purposes.
The sanctuary is approached through a door in the back. The
roof is supported by sistrum-capitals.
In a recess at the back wall there is a magnificent bas-relief
of the honored cow-goddess Hathor. Ramesses is illustrated
standing beneath its chin. Reliefs of right wall side show
the king worshipping before his own figure and his wife, and
on the left Nefertari -as equal to her husband- is shown making
offerings to Mut
and Hathor.
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