Vat Phou was initially associated with the city of Shrestapura,: which lay on the bank of the Mekong directly east of Lingaparvata Mountain (now called Phou Khao).[#endnote_] By the latter part of the fifth century, the city was the capital of a kingdom that texts and inscriptions connect with the Chenla Kingdom and Champa. The first structure on the mountain was constructed around this time.[#endnote_] The mountain gained spiritual importance from the lingam-shaped protuberance on its summit. The mountain itself was, therefore, considered the home of Shiva, and the river as representing the ocean or the Ganges.[#endnote_] The temple was naturally dedicated to Shiva, while the water from the spring directly behind the temple was considered sacred.