Makara-headed water-chute: Sandstone, 7th century: The makara is a mythical aquatic animal that resembles a crocodile with a trunk. Because of its aquatic association, it is often used, as here, in architectural details concerning the channeling of water, such as spouts, or for directing springs. This makara piped water that filtered through the sacred mountain that towers over Wat Phu. The water, which was already blessed by the linga at the summit, passed through the sanctuary, and over the altar, pouring a steady trickle of holy water for pilgrims to the temple to lustrate themselves with.