During the Sun Festival of Abu Simbel temple in southern Egypt, crowds gather before sunrise to observe sunlight lightening the innermost sculptures.

Built by King Ramses II, the statues of the king and the sun god remain in darkness inside the temple throughout the year except on Feb. 22 and Oct. 22, when the sunlight showers on the statues to commemorate the king's coronation and birthday.

Sculptures of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel are illuminated by a ray of sunlight during the Sun Festival in Aswan, Egypt, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

People perform to celebrate the Sun Festival at the Great Temple of Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt, Feb. 22, 2022.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

Tourists take photos of sculptures illuminated by a ray of sunlight at the Great Temple of Abu Simbel during the Sun Festival in Aswan, Egypt, Feb. 22, 2022.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

The sculptures of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel are lit up during the Sun Festival in Aswan, Egypt, Feb. 22, 2022.(Photo: Xinhua)