[2] He is remembered for his patronage of the arts and Dravidian architecture, along with refurbishment and decoration of many Kovils (temple) in the Tamil continent.

On the eve of his death in 1268 CE, the second Pandyan empire's power and territorial extent had risen to its zenith till Nellore and Kadapa by defeating Telugu Chola rulers Vijaya Gandagopala, Manumasiddhi III of Nellore Cholas and Ganapatideva of Kakatiyas.

He covered Entire Tamil Nadu, Kerala and extended up to Nellore of present day Andhra Pradesh.

Several Hoysala generals including Singana were killed and great amount of loot was captured along with many horses, elephants and gold treasure.

Sundara Pandyan besieged the city fortress of Sendamangalam and fought with the Kadava king Kopperunchinga II.

Responding to an appeal for help from a minister in Sri Lanka, Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan intervened in 1258[7]: 185  and made Chandrabhanu of Tambralinga, a Savakan usurper of the Jaffna kingdom submit to Pandyan rule and annually offer precious jewels and elephants in tribute.

The minister in charge of his invasion, Kulasekara Cinkaiariyan, an Aryachakravarthi, was installed as the new king of the island's north.

Sundara Pandiyan I defeated a Telugu army at Mudugur in the current Nellore district and performed a virabisheka to commemorate the end of his campaign.

[9] Having vanquished his neighbours Sundara Pandyan took the titles like "Emmandalamum Kondaruliya Pandiya", "Tribhuvana Chakravarthy", "Ponveintha Perumal", and "Hemachadana Raja".

A PIL - Public Interest Litigation was filed by Renowned Advocate and Author B.Jagannath, seeking the Central Government to establish a National Council for Development of Tamil Language, similar to Urudu and Sindhi National Council in the name of Jatavarman Sundarapandyan I. the same is pending at the Madras High Court.