Mahendravarman I
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The rock-cut temples at Mamallapuram. construction of these started in the reign of Mahendravarman I |
Mahendravarman I (600 - 630 CE) was the
Pallava king ruling in the northern regions of
Tamil nadu state in
India. He was the son of
Simhavishnu, who defeated the
Kalabhras and re-established the Pallava kingdom. During his reign the
Chalukya king
Pulakesi II attacked the Pallava kingdom. The Pallava capital
Kanchipuram was under siege and the Pallava army was defeated.
Mahendravarman was a great patron of letters and architecture. The construction of the famous rock-cut temples of
Mahabalipuram were started in his reign. He was also the author of the play
Mattavilasaprahasana, a farce concerning
Buddhist and
Saiva ascetics. Mahendravarman was an adherent of the
Jain faith and according to tradition he was converted back into the Hindu faith by the Saiva saint
Appar after he cured Mahendravarman's illness.
Mahendravarman was succeeded to the throne by his more famous son
Narasimhavarman I in 630 CE.
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