Simhavishnu

Simhavishnu (IAST: Siṃhaviṣṇu), also known as Avanisimha, son of Simhavarman III, was a king of the Pallava dynasty responsible for its revival. He was the first Pallava monarch whose domain extended beyond Kanchipuram (Kanchi) to the south. He is portrayed as a great conqueror in Mattavilasa Prahasana, a drama written by his son Mahendravarman I.

Reign There is no exact academic consensus regarding the period of Simhavishnu's reign. Different scholars propose the following timelines: K. A. Nilakanta Sastri: 555–590 CE Sailendra Nath Sen: 575–600 CE T. V. Mahalingam: 575–615 CE

Based on available Hero stones, he ruled for at least 33 years. The structure of the work suggests it was intended for Koodiyattam performances during temple festivals, a tradition that continues to this day.

Religious affiliation Simhavishnu was a follower of Vaishnavism, as evidenced by the Udayendiram copper plates of Nandivarman II. This is significant as his son, Mahendravarman I, was initially a follower of Jainism before converting to Shaivism.

A portrait of Simhavishnu can be seen in the stone engravings at the Varaha Cave Temple (Adivaraha Mandapam) in Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stands as a testament to Pallava art.