Thoonandar Seeyamangalam was created by the Pallava King Mahendravarman I (600-630 CE) during the 7th Century CE. This cave temple has later additions by the Chola and Vijayanagar Empires. The place is called Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram temple, Avani being one of the titles of King Mahendravarman I. The inscriptions here in Pallava Grantha script mention that the cave was dug out by Lalitankura, another name of Mahendravarman. The same title is mentioned in the cave temple of the Rock Fort at Trichirapalli. Later additions to the temple were made by the Chola and Vijayanagar Kings. The Gopuram is believed to be an addition by the Vijayanagar Kings. The other side of the hillock houses the Jain beds established in the 9th Century CE during the reign of Ganga King Rajamalla II.
Following information gleaned with thanks from Puratattva.in:
As per Mr.R.Nagaswamy the original name of the place was Simhavishnu-Caturvedi-Mangalam and it was named after Mahendravarman’s father Simhavishnu, probably corrupted to it’s present name Seeyamangalam. As the cave temple is attributed to Mahendravarman, it would be appropriate to assume that this village was already in existence when this temple was excavated. Also there are two pillars (Thoon in Tamil) from which the main deity’s name come. These pillars have the carving of Lion’s in their upper part. As lions are not associated with Shiva worship the reference could have been to Mahendravarman’s father Simhavishnu. On the same pillars are bas relief’s of Shiva as Vrishbhantika along with Nandi and Parvati in Tribhanga posture.
On the other pillar is the earliest depiction of Dancing Shiva with four hands and flowing tresses. On either side are two Gana’s, one playing a Maddalam (Drum) and another praying. The usual Muyalikan is absent below his feet, whereas a snake with spread hood is depicted. Mr.R.Nagaswamy’s study on this panel explains the snake’s presence thus. Bhujanga-trasita-karana (scared of snake) is well defined in Natya Shshatra and it states, ‘Raise the bent foot, turn the waist and also the thigh and knee to the side to form this kanaran’. This is the beginning of the dance and the movement is derived from the frenzied action of an individual on seeing unexpectedly a snake by his side.
There are four inscriptions in this cave, 2 of the Pallavas and 2 of the Cholas.The Pallava inscriptions mention the title of Mahendravarman, creation of the temple and donation of ornaments and deeds. Another Pallava inscription mentions the contribution of a village headman towards building the Mantapa in the front.
