Phnom Sompov ( part1)

About Phnom Sompov

Phnom Sompoeou is a natural site located along National Road 67 in Sampeou Commune, Battamban district, Battambong Province, about 12 kilometers from the provincial town. Atop a 100 –meter-high Mountain stands a pagoda and there natural caves: Pkasla, Lakhaon and Aksopheak.  Pkasla cave is full of uprooted stones and is considerd important because it is where Phnom Sompwue residents come to celebrate after a marriage

Nest to the Phnom Sampoeou are several important mountains clusters including Phnom Kdang, Phnom Krapue, Romsay Sok. All are realted to the Khmer folktales titled Nreachkol Neng Romsay Sok.

History of Sompouv Hill

 

 

From the west of Battambong provincial town about 12 kilometers, there are a chain of hills such as Phnom Sompov, Phnom Trung Morn, Trung Tea, and Phnom Neang Romsaysak and so on. At that time , it was said that there was a king who had a son, Reachkol and settled his royal palace along Dang Reak Mountain. There was young lady, whose name was Sobann Maksa, who found an egg by chance, which was not known what kind of animal species. When it was due time, that egg hatched and came out a little crocodile. Seeing it was lovely, she loved that baby crocodile and raised it till it grew up. IT was a big, smart crocodile, which was name Athun.

 Preah Bath Reachkol was fascinated by the beauty Sovann Maks, who was a perfectly beautiful daughter of a poor family. And her crocodile was not only extremely powerful, but also brave and cleaver. Afer having close relationship with her, the prince turned out to be unsatisfied because he thought that he could not marry her as she was only the daughter of the ordinary family.

 

After thinking rationally about his marriage, the prince went to tell his parents, His parents agreed on that proposal and then ordered the royal servants to look for the beautiful lady who was born in the upper-class family to marry their son. Then, they heard there was a King in Chan Borey District who magic hair, which she could do what as her wishes. When she strokes her hair, it caused the land to flood with water or water became mainland.

The parents of Preah Bath Reachkol ordered the royal servants to take a royal message to the king of Krong Chan Borey in order to ask his daughter to marry their son according to the tradition. After reading the message, the King of krong Chan Borey consented to their request and replied in a massage which read, “If you are satisfied with my daughter, please your majesty bring the engagement gifts to my Kingdom.”

When Prince Reachkol heard that reply, he was very satisfied and then ordered his royal servants to prepare all kinds of presents to put into a junk and left for Drong Chan Borey.
 

Ehen Sovann Maksa go that news, she was frustrated so she called Athun to block and destroy the junk because she did not wish the prince to marry Neang Rom Saysak. As soon as its master gave an order, Athun crawled into the water and swam a fast as an arrow toward the junk of preah Bat Reachkol.

“Hey! Athun, it’s me,” said hreah Bath Reachkol, when he saw Athun, “Don’t do anything crazy!” “ I server anyone who gives me food,” replied Athun. Seeing this giant crocodile, the royal servants screamed with fear all over the junk. Some other tossed the cats of chickens and ducks to stop it from disturbing the prince’s voyage. ( Continue Reading Part 2, The End)