The Festival of Opet in honor of Amon was held at Karnak and Thebes, lasting usually for 24 days. This was a New Year event in which almost the entire population appear to have taken part, having plenty of leisure to greet the bark of the god on the swollen waters of the Nile in the flotilla that was pressed into service to accompany it and the gods on their triumphant voyage from Karnak to "Southern Opet". The ceremonies began with food and drink offerings to Amon and his consorts.