There is a room to the right of it (the Offering Table Hall), measuring 10 by 9, into which the flight of stairs on the right leads.
About the Antechamber to Western Stairway
The winding stairway to the west of the Offering Table Hall was used in a New Year ritual where the God ‘went forth by the western stairway wearing his great crown, with his Pasadjat (Ennead of nine gods) behind him, in order to look at the sun’s disk and to unite with his Ba’a spirit on Wapat Ranapat – Opening of the Year.’
The chamber BaHadat is to the left of it (Masanat) and contains the image of the goddess MaHayat (Mehyt) and the Great Ennead, who watch over Osiris. The god Shw is there as north wind, in order to unite himself with Osiris’ nostrils, as it is his duty in the Horizon of Eternity (the tomb), together with Tafanat (Tefnut) as flame in order to burn the enemies of Osiris, as she does in Araq-hah when she is the goddess Manat, the Eye of Ra with the fear-inspiring pupil (and at the same time) the goddess Sakhamat, She who is Powerful, the Mistress of all Sakhamat goddesses.
– The Great Building Inscription of the Edfu Temple Translated by Dieter Kurth
About the BaHadat
The BaHadat, or Throne Room, is decorated with the images of the goddess MaHayat. She is a daughter of Ra, and takes the image of a lion who protected the roads which the dead travelled to the Underworld. The purpose of the BaHadat Room was to protect the temple of Horus by the expiatory offering of incense. On the left side of her sacred barque is a hymn that describes her anger and aggressiveness, and on her right a hymn extolling her as peaceful and beneficence.
The BaHadat Room is also home to the Great Ennead who watch over Osiris, performing various tasks to prevent Him harm and to burn His enemies.
The Great Hall is in front of it (the Naos) : it has twelve columns, great supports, wonderful to behold. The hall is 37 (cubits) long and 26 wide. Its walls are most perfectly decorated: it is called Place of Pleasure. It is also known as Place of Joy and Place of Enjoyment of Ra and Horus, for it resembles the Chemmis (papyrus thicket) of their son (Horus, Uniter of the Two Lands).
– The Great Building Inscription of the edfu Temple Translated by Dieter Kurth
About The Great Hall
The Great Hall, and those halls and chapels beyond it, make up the original nucleus of the temple, or the Naos. The Great Court has twelve free-standing columns, more slender than those in the Pronaos, and the lower part of the columns being more slender. The Great Court had several names (above), and as the names indicate, The great Hall is the place where the gods enjoy themselves. On the west side of the Hall, the rooms of the ointment-workshop, and Room of the Nile. To the east of the Hall, the Treasury, and a stairway leading to the roof of the Naos.
The Place where gods rest is in front of the Sanctuary. Dwelling Place of the Gods and Birth House of the Strong Horus, are its names. It is 23 2/3 by 9 Cubits. The shrines of the gods, who’s beauty is praised, are kept here; the Divine Pasadjat Ennead of Masan Harpoon is depicted on its walls.
About the Place where Gods Rest
This hall is located at the entrance to the Great Seat of Horus. When facing the sanctuary, hallways connecting the chapels have entrances on the right and left side of the sanctuary entrance. When facing away from the sanctuary, the Court of the Food Offerings altar is to the left, while the Par Manw – House of Min is to the right.
The Great Seat in the midst of the chapels and surrounded by the corridor mentioned, measures 19 3/6 cubits by 10 1/3 cubits. The doors of the corridor are to its right and left, and give access to the surrounding chapels. The processional barqe of the Deity with the Dappled Plumage, His magnificent portable shrine next to it, and His great Naos of black stone that is next to both of them, they are wonderful to behold. His Seat is of the Talon in heaven, his Dwelling on earth, His throne Seat in the temple heaven is inscribed with the Divine Ennead of the nome. The rituals of the Lord are dedicated to Him (Horus-Behdety); Revealing the God’s face, Offering Ma’at to its Creator (Ra), and Burning Incense for the Processional Boat.
About the Great Seat
The Great Seat is the place where the Living Statue of Horus-Behdety sat in its naos. Originally the naos was in the north west corner, but was moved during Mariette’s excavation in 1860. In the center of the room rests a pedestal where Horus’ portable shrine and festival boat would stand. The facade of the Great Seat is inscribed with the morning litany, that was sung during the Morning Rites. The living statue was approximately 23 inches high, composed of gold plated wood and laid with precious jewels.
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