Construction of the terraced temple took place between Hatshepsut's seventh and twentieth regnal year, during which building plans were repeatedly modified. The temple's twin functions are identified by its axes: its main east-west axis served to receive the barque of Amun-Re at the climax of the annual Beautiful Festival of the Valley, while its north-south axis represented the life cycle of the pharaoh from coronation to rebirth. The upper terrace opens to 26 columns each fronted by a 5.2 m tall Osiride statue of Hatshepsut. They are split in the center by a granite gate through which the festival courtyard was entered.