Mahendravarman I (600–630 CE)[1][2] was a Pallava emperor who ruled over realm covering the southern portions of present-day Andhra region and northern regions of what forms present-day Tamil Nadu in India, in the early 7th century.

During his reign, the Chalukya monarch Pulakeshin II attacked the Pallava realm.

[3] Tamil literature flourished under his rule, with the rise in popularity of Tevaram written by Appar and Sambandhar.

[1] who defeated Pulakeshin II of Chalukya dynasty and ransacked the Chalukyan capital city of Vatapi (also known as Badami).

He constructed the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse and Kanchi University where Vedas, Buddhism, Jainism, Painting, Music & Dance were taught.

[11] According to Divyacharitam, a Sanskrit work on the life of Alwars that was written in 12th century, Yatotkara Perumal (Mahavishnu), enshrined in Kancheepuram left the city along with his great devotee Thirumalisai Alvar, because the Vaishnava Alwar faced tough persecution and exilement from the king who had at least temporarily come under the influence of Jainism.

The inscriptions in Madangapattu mention him as a curious king who wanted to discard perishable materials like wood, brick, metal, or mortar for building temples.