Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram Temple, Siyamangalam

Puratattva states that inscriptions establish Mahendravarman I as the builder, identified with the name Lalitankura in an inscription on the southern pillar, which records the foundation of the temple as Avanibhajana-Pallaveshvara. Wikipedia adds that the inscriptions are in Sanskrit in the Grantha-Pallava script.

Puratattva lists some seventeen later records, including gifts under the Pallava king Nandivarman III (849 CE), the Cholas (including Rajaraja I in 1004 CE) and a Pandya record of 1288 CE. It also records that Jain temples were established nearby under the Western Ganga king, in an inscription of 892-93 CE. Early documentation includes publication of the Pallava inscriptions by E. Hultzsch in 1901 and K. R. Srinivasan's 1958 study of the Mahendra-style pillars.

Architecture and sacred features

Like other Mahendravarman caves, it has a front hall (mukha-mandapa), a half hall and a sanctum, according to Puratattva. The facade has two pillars and two pilasters, with niches topped by makara-torana arches. Pillars have cubical bases and tops with an octagonal middle; lotus medallions appear on lower sections and a lion relief on the upper front face. Two warrior figures stand in the niches.

Wikipedia notes a circular sanctum cut into the rock with a lingam, two dvarapalas, and a Nandi shrine outside the pillared hall. A three-tiered gopuram, believed to be a Vijayanagara addition, and later mandapas now hide the original rock-cut shrine, according to both sources. Jain beds and carvings of the 9th century lie on the other side of the hillock.