VAT PHNOM YAT

The famous Burmese pagoda of Païlin, named after Grandmother Yat, an old hermit and a bit of a witch who didn't like people killing forest animals. In exchange for stopping the hunt, the old woman promised the inhabitants that a reward would be waiting for them in a stream on the hill overlooking the village. When they arrived, they discovered an otter playing in the water, which approached them with its mouth full of precious stones. The altar of Mother Yat, at the top of the hill, has now become a place of pilgrimage for all Khmers wishing to enrich themselves. There are all kinds of statues there, including one of the legendary otter and another of Mother Yat, as well as scenes from Buddhist hell. At the very top of the hill is the funerary stupa of Rattanak Sambat, the key character in the novel The Rose of Pailin, written at the beginning of the last century. The story is as follows: Chao Chet, a poor, deserving orphan, goes to work for the wealthy Rattanak and falls in love with the latter's daughter, who is of course promised to a powerful man named Balat. Finally appointed Balat's chauffeur, Chao Chet drives the bride and groom down the road to Païlin one day, and while he's giving them the runaround, thieves attack them and the cowardly Balat hides under the car. Chao Chet puts the attackers to flight and the beautiful girl falls into his arms. Sensitive to this noble courage, Rattanak offered Khun Neary, his daughter, in marriage to the young hero.