Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram Temple

Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram temple
Image of the temple complex
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictTiruvannamalai
DeityStambeswarar(Shiva)
Location
LocationSeeyamangalam
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram Temple is located in Tamil Nadu
Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates12°25′52″N 79°27′59″E / 12.43111°N 79.46639°E / 12.43111; 79.46639
Architecture
TypeRock-cut architecture

Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram temple also called Stambeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Seeyamangalam, Tiruvannamalai district in Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is constructed in Rock-cut architecture by the Pallava king Mahendravarman I (600-630 CE) during the 7th century. The cave temple had later additions from the Chola and Vijayanagar Empire.

One of the pillars has a sculpture of Nataraja, believed to be the earliest representation of the deity in South India. The temple has a small three-tiered rajagopuram, the entrance tower. The temple is declared as a heritage monument and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument. The other side of the hillock houses the Jain beds established in the 9th century during the reign of Western Ganga King Rajamalla II.