The Legend of Nhek Ta Khleang Moeung

In ancient times, the king of Siam had invaded Cambodia and instated his son to collect taxes from the Khmer king.

Unable to bear this Siamese colonial dominance, the Khmer king Chan Raja ordered his military commanders to kill the son of the king Siam. The Siamese king, furious for this murder, sent troops to arrest King Chan Raja and his court. But Chan Raja's lady-in-waiting, Pen, escaped took army chief Khleang Moeung, the Queen and four children with her.

The king of Siam prepared a massive attack to submit the entire country. Chan Raja's son, Prince Chey Ahcha, had neither enough troops nor weapons to fight them. 

- "Can you think of any tactics to win?" Chey Ahcha asked his men.

After a moment's silence, commander Moeung came up with an bizarre plan: to recruit a ghost army.  

- "Dig me a trench, four metres deep and plant spears and swords at the bottom, pointing up," he ordered his soldiers. When this was completed, the army chief gathered all his soldiers to address them and give them courage.

- "Please use every effort in this battle to liberate Cambodia from the evil enemy," he told his troops. 

- "If within seven days after I die you hear a thunder-like cheering, we will win," he promised. "When you hear these frightening noises, you must attack fearlessly while howling like the spirits that join you in the battle."

Upon his speech, commander Moeung jumped into a trench and impaled himself. His wife and two sons followed, killing themselves too.

Exactly seven days later, a cheering of the ghost army came from every direction as Chey Ahcha's army advanced to stop the invading Siamese troops near Battambang.

The ghost army went to the front of the battle field to display their might. They caused dizziness under the Siamese troops, gave them stomach aches and made them vomit. Many fled the howling spirit horde and jumped into the trenches where they were killed by the swords and spears. Chey Ahcha's army followed and butchered all the surviving Siamese soldiers.

After this victory Chey Ahcha was crowned King Preah Chey Chehsda of Cambodia. He ordered a ceremony to commemorate the spirit of his army chief, who earned the title "Nhek Ta Khleang Moeung".

The people in Pursat have repeated the ceremony every year since. Cambodians believe this Nheak Ta is very powerful and can fulfil every wish they pray for.