Holy turtle !

A young Cambodian woman prays as a "magic turtle" is placed on her head to cure an illness at a pagoda in Kandal province, some 30 kms north of Phnom Penh, on Monday.

Hundreds of ill Cambodians have come to Phnom Prasidh Krom pagoda to have the mystical turtle put on their heads to cure their complaints since the seven-colour turtle was found in a pound in the pagoda in recent months, a nun said.

"For those who came back to see the turtle again told me that they recovered from their illness after touching this holy turtle," she said.

Cambodians are highly superstitious in this predominantly Buddhist country, particularly in the countryside where people continue to meld animist practice with Buddhism