Tradition: The legend of Khmer New Year – Chaul Chnam Thmey (បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី)

A long time ago, the four-faced god Preah Prom heard about a young human, named Thomabal Komar, whose intelligence was apparently extraordinary.

Spurred by his interest in this young man, Preah Prom decided to pay him a visit to put him to the test. If the young man proved capable of answering his riddle, Preah Prom, convinced of his superiority, would offer him his head as a reward.

The young man was frightened and did not know what to say, but in the end had no choice but to comply with the God's request, who asked him:

‘… What are the three actions that bring luck and success every day?…’

As he had expected, the young man found himself unable to answer. Ashamed and frightened, he fled into the forest. Then, tired, he rested for a few moments under a tree.

From there he quickly perceived a discussion between two giant eagles perched a little higher up in the branches of the tree.

They already knew that someone was going to die today because he had not been able to answer the simple question asked by Preah Prom.

However, what brings success and fulfilment to people are three simple actions performed on a daily basis.

When they get up, people have to wash their faces... then during the day, they have to shower... and finally in the evening, before going to bed, they mustn't forget to wash their feet....

Thomabal Komar, who understood the language of animals, didn't miss a single word of the discussion, then set off again for the city to give his answer to the God.

The God, bound by his promise, offered his head to the young man.

And it was at the top of Mount Meru (1) that this head would go to rest... with care, because if immersed in water, it would cause the seas and oceans to dry up; on land, it would destroy all life and transform the air into a giant furnace...

And since then, every year, one of the seven daughters of Preah Prom goes to Mount Meru to take care of their father's head for a year.

Each of them then descends the mountain on one of the 12 animals of Khmer mythology. Thus, each sand mound during the New Year's Day ceremony represents Mount Meru.

(1): Mount Meru is the mythical mountain considered to be the axis of the world in Persian, Buddhist, Jain and especially Hindu mythology. It is said to be 80,000 leagues (450,000 km) high. Mount Meru is said to be located at the centre of the Earth, in Jambudvipa, one of the continents in Indian mythology. It is considered to be the home of the gods.