Narasimhavarman_I
Narasimhavarman I
Pallava Monarch from 630 to 668
Narasimhavarman I was a Pallava emperor who reigned from 630 CE to 668 CE.[1] He shared his father Mahendravarman I's love of art and completed the works started by Mahendravarman in Mamallapuram. During his reign, the famous Pancha Rathas, a monolithic rock-cut temple complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site was constructed.
He avenged his father's defeat at the hands of the Chalukya monarch, Pulakeshin II in the year 642 CE. Narasimhavarman I was also known as Mamallan[2][3] (great wrestler), and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named in his honour.
It was during his reign, in 640 CE, that the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram.[4]
Narasimhavarman I was a Hindu and a great devotee of Shiva. The great Nayanar saints like Appar, Siruthondar and Tirugnanasambandar lived during his reign.[citation needed]
Narasimhavarman I was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II in the year 668 CE.