Abu Simbel is a set of two temples near the border of Egypt with Sudan. It was constructed for the pharaoh Ramesses II who reigned for 67 years. The temples were cut from the rock and shifted to higher ground in the 1960s as the waters of Lake Nasser began to rise following completion of the Aswan High Dam. The Great Temple is dedicated to Ramesses II and a statue of him is seated with three other gods. The temple's facade is dominated by four enormous seated statues of the Pharaoh , although one has been damaged since ancient times. The Small Temple was probably completed ahead of the Great Temple and is dedicated to Ramesses' favourite wife, Nefertari. At the entrance stand six rock-cut statues - two of Ramesses and one of Nefertari on either side of the doorway. The sanctuary of the temple contains four seated statues : Ramsis himself sitting along with the Gods Amun, Horus and Ptah. The temple was precisely oriented so that the sun's rays illuminated the central sanctuary on exactly two days of the year : Ramsis' birthday (Feb 21) and his coronation day (Oct 21). The sun's rays illuminates three of the four central statues: the statue of Ptah, the God of darkness, always remaining in the shadow. Both the temples have many smaller chambers with lots of drawings depicting the pharaoh and his wife offering various items including food, drinks and incense to the Gods.