Pallava dynasty
The founder of Pallava dynasty was Singhvishnu (575-600 AD). Its capital was Kanchi (Cochipuram in Tamil Nadu). He was a follower of Vaishnavism. Bharavi Singh, the author of Kiratarjuniyam, lived in the court of Vishnu. The main rulers of Pallava dynasty were Mahendra Varman Prayam (600-630 AD), Narasimha Varman Prayam (630-668 AD), Mahendra Varman II (668-670 AD), Parameshwara Varman Prayam (670-700 AD) respectively. ), Narasimhavarman-11 (700-728 AD), Nandivarman-11 (730-800 AD). The last (important) ruler of the Pallava dynasty was Aparajitavarman (880-903 AD). Matvilas Prahasana was composed by Mahendravarman. Mahendravarman was initially a Jain follower, but later became a Shaivite under the influence of Tamil saint Appa
LThe monolithic temples of Mahabalipuram, called Rathas, were built by the Pallava king Narasimha Varman I. The number of chariot temples is seven. Draupadi chariot is the smallest among the Rav temples which does not have any kind of ornamentation. The titles of Vatpikonda and Mahamall were assumed by Narasimhavarman I. It was during his reign that the Chinese traveler Huen Tsang came to Kanchi. Parmeshwar Varman was the first follower of Shaivism. He had assumed the titles of Lokaditya, Ekamall, Rananjay, Ugradanda, Gunabhajan etc. He constructed the Ganesh temple at Mamallapuram. Parameshwara Varman I was also a lover of learning and had also taken the title of Vidyavineet. At the time of Arab invasion, the ruler of Pallavas was Narasimhavarman-II. He assumed the titles of ‘Rajasingh’ (lion among kings), ‘Agamapriya’ (lover of scriptures) and Shankarbhakta (worshipper of Shiva). He built the Kailashnath Temple of Kanchi which is also known as the Rajsiddheshwar Temple. Dravidian architecture started with the construction of this temple. (The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram was also built by Narasimhavarman-II) Life-size pictures of Pallava kings and queens are installed in the Kailashnath temple of Kanchi. Court of Dandi Narasimhavarman (II), author of Dashakumarcharita Lived in. ,The Mukteshwar Temple and Vaikuntha Perumal Temple of Kanchi were built by Nandivarman II. The famous Vaishnava saint Tirumai Alvar was a contemporary of Nandivarman II.