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Narasimhavarman I was a Pallava emperor who reigned from 630 to 668. 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. Narasimhavarman I was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler), and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named in his honour.
The Culavamsa, the Sri Lankan chronicle, refers to the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I by the epithet “Kanduvethi” (or “Kaduvetti"). Historians interpret this title as linguistically related to the term “Kadavan,” a designation later associated with the Kadava dynasty chiefs, and consider it indicative of an connection between early Pallavas with the Kadava dynasty.
It was during his reign, in 640 CE, that the Chinese people traveller Xuanzang visited Kanchipuram.
Nanimhavarman I (630-668 A.D.) was alo like his father Mahendravarman 1 (600-630 A.D.) a follower and patron of Jainism The Nayanar poet-saints Appar, Paranjothi, and Sambandar lived during his reign.
Narasimhavarman I was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II in the year 668 CE.
Pulakeshin II again attempts to seize the Pallava capital and undertook another expedition several years later. However, the Pallava reign had moved on to Narasimhavarman I by then. Narasimhavarman defeated the Chalukyas in several battles, including one at Manimangalam 20 miles to the east of Kanchipuram. The Pallava monarch states that he could see the back of his dreaded enemy as he tore apart his army. Encouraged by this victory, Narasimhavarman led his army along with his general Paranjothi and attacked Vatapi, successfully defeating and killing the Chalukyan Emperor Pulakeshin II in 642 CE. The city was never a capital again.Sastri 2008, p. 136 He returned victorious to Kanchipuram, and was conferred the Tamil title Vatapikondan (lit. One who conquered Vatapi).Keay 2001, p. 172
His general Paranjothi (a Vikrama Kesari, also known as Paradurgamarddana) was known very well for his devotion to the Shiva and as one of the Nayanars, is said to have personally destroyed the city of Vatapi under the command of Narasimhavarman I. Sekkilhar's work 12th tirumurai credits this siruttondar of having destroyed the evil kali as manifested by the deccan enemy of the Pallavas. He is also known as 'Paranjothi', a dutiful warrior and a practicing medic who had "mastered several treatises in medicine". This vikramakesari had at the insistence of the God Shiva sacrificed his child without any qualms. There was a confusion as to whether the Ganesha at a temple in Chengattankudy could have been a result of this invasion. Many grants refer to this event as " Kilisayoneriva Vimattita Vathapi" or the one who destroyed Vatapi, the same way the Agastya had killed a demon by that name long ago.(**)
(**) Ancient India, R. C. Majumdar, Ancient India, K.A.Nilakanta Sastri
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