Temple of Mut at Karnak

The ancient goddess Mut was the wife of Amun, and Amun was the god of the gods, and as creator had no parents, though according to legend neither did Mut. This temple is not currently open to the public.

The temple of Mut is just a short distance to the south of Pylon 10 at Karnak temple.

The temples of Karnak and Mut, are joined by an avenue of ram-headed sphinxes.

The ancient god Bes is featured on opposite sides of a pylon, made during the reign of Seti II.

Bas is the god of childbirth and humour. Uniquely amongst the ancient Egyptian gods, he is always depicted face on.

This is the only statue of a pharaoh within the temple of Mut, though of which pharaoh we are unsure.

Here on the right is the largest of the Sekhmet statues, within the temple of Mut. There may be others of a similar size, but as so many are damaged, it is difficult to tell just how big they would have been.

Below is one of the ram-headed sphinxes of which there are several within the enclosure. The ram being a representation of the god of gods - Amun.

The many Sekhmet statues are thought to have been "borrowed" from the temple of Amenhotep III, at a time when the goddess Mut was closely linked with the goddess Sekhmet.

Statues of ram-headed sphinx and Sekhmet abound.

Looking across the sacred lake at Mut,
you can see the remains of
this temple of Ramses III.

This is one of three temples within the enclosure wall.
The main temple is obviously the temple of Mut,
with the temple of Ramses III on the west side
of the sacred lake. The third being the
temple of Khonsupakherod, to the east,
just as you enter the enclosure.

Temple of Mut at Karnak

This page was updated 11 May, 2012