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Great Hall

Map of the Great Hall

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.

Djaba' Hieroglyphs
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Hatap natya Natjrw bw – Place Where Gods Rest

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.

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sat war – Great Seat

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.