CONTENT : Acknowledgements Introductory Note MAHENDRAVARMAN AND HIS TIME Historical Background The Mauryas .. 4 The Satavahanas .. 7 The Ikshvakus .. 18 The Pallavas Historical Origin .. 22 Mythological Origin: The Kasakudi Plates .. 23 Mahendraverman and his Time Inscriptions .. 27 Contemporary Places of Worship .. 30 Rock Architecture .. 32 Mahendra's Rock Architecture .. 34 King Mahendravarman I (580-630 AD) .. 40 Cave Temples of the Mahendra Time The Lakshitayatana of Mandagapattu .. 46 The Pallavaram Cave Temple .. 47 Mamandur II: Rudravalisvaram Cave Temple ,,. 48 Kuranganilmuttam: The Kal Mandakam Cave Temple .. 51 Vallam: The Vasantesvaran Cave Temple .. 54 Mahendra's Cave Temple at Mahendravadi .. 56 Mamandur I: The Northern Cave Temple .. 58 The Satrumallesvara Cave Temple of Dalavanur .. 61 The Lalitankura Cave Temple at Tiruchirapalli .. 68 Siyamangalam: Avanibhajana Pallavesvaram Cave Temple .. 74 Vilappakam: The Panchapandava Cave Temple .. 84 NARASIMHA MAHAMALLA AND HIS TIME Historical Background Narasimhavarman Mahamalla (630-668 AD) .. 88 Mahendravarman II (668-672 AD) .. 90 Paramesvaravarman I .. 90 Pallava Sculpture Relief Sculpture - Landmark of the Era .. 92 Dresses and Ornaments .. 105 Animal Sculpture ' .. 107 Pallava Rock Architecture Mamallapuram .. 112 Cave Temples and Rathas - General Features .. 112 Cava Temples of the Mammalia Period Koneri Mandapam Cave Temple .. 121 Mahisasuramardini Mandapam Cave Temple .. 123 Varaha Mandapam Cave Temple .. 136 Adi Varaha Mandapam Cave Temple .. 149 Ramanuja Mandapam Cave Temple .. 162 Trimurthi Cave Temple .. 166 Panchapandava Mandapam Cave Temple .. 172 Yali Mandapam of Saluvankuppam .. 174 The Lost Architecture .. 176 The Rathas .. 177 Dharmaraja Ratha .. 183 Bhima Ratha .. 205 Arjuna Ratha .. 210 Draupadi Ratha .. 218 Nakula and Sahadeva Ratha .. 222 Ganesha Ratha .. 226 Valayankuttai Ratha and Pidari Rathas .. 230 The Open Air Reliefs The Descent of the Ganga .. 236 Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhana .. 249 References .. 257 Glossary .. 259