The other side of the hillock houses the Jain beds established in the 9th century during the reign of Western Ganga King Rajamalla II.

[1][2] Though the image of the lions in the pillars lead to an assumption that the temple might have been possibly been initiated by Simhavishnu, the father of Mahendravarman, the view is not accepted.

[1] The other side of the hillock houses the Jain beds established in the 9th century during the reign of Ganga King Rajamalla II.

[5] The presiding deity is called Thoonandavar or Stambeswarar on account of the presence of two pillars in front of the temple.

[4] One of the pillars in the temple has one of the earliest representations of Nataraja (the dancing form of Shiva) in Ananda Thandava posture.

There are two attendants of Shiva ganas of Nataraja, with one of them playing Miruthangam (a percussion instrument) and other in praying posture.

It is believed that all forms of dance are derived from Natya Sastra by sage Bharatha and Mahendravarma's knowledge of delicate postures are exemplified in the sculpture.

He also affirms that by the image Mahendra shows the connection between bhujaṅga trāsita and that the dance of Nataraja, the cosmic form of Shiva leads to the Ananda.