Dating from the late 7th century, it is attributed to the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I (630–680 AD; also called Mamalla, or "great warrior") of the Pallava Kingdom.

[3] Resembling a chariot (ratha), it is carved out of a single, long stone of pink granite.

[4][5][7] The structure is named after the eldest of the Pancha Pandavas, of epic Mahabharata fame,[3][5][8] though this nomenclature is not supported by its iconography.

[9] The structure is located at Mahabalipuram (previously known as Mammallapuram) on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in Kancheepuram district.

Small-sized model shrines called kudus make up the ornament of the upper part of the tower.

[9][23] There are many sculptures on the corners of the sanctum, which depict Shiva;[24] Harihara, Brahma-Sasta, Skanda, Brahma, Ardhanarisvara (half Shiva half Parvati)[25] and Krishna[26] are depicted alongside an inscribed portrait of a king, indicated to be Narasimhavarman I,[22][27][28] who commissioned the temple.

[13] The second floor contains rich imagery,[30] with further depictions of Shiva as Gangadara and Natesa, and Vishnu resting on Garuda and Kaliya Mardhana.