NARASIMHAVARMAN I

'Narasimhavarman I' was one of the most famous Pallava kings who ruled from A.D. 630 - 668. He shared his father's (Mahendravarman I) love of art and completed the work started by Mahendravarman in Mahabalipuram. He avenged his father's defeat at the hands of the Chalukya king, Pulakesi II in the year 642. Narasimhavarman was also known as ''Mamallan'' (great wrestler) and Mahabalipuram was also known as ''Mamallapuram'' (city of Mamallan). It was during his reign that the Chinese traveller, Hsuan Tsang, visited Kanchipuram in about 642.

War with the Chalukyas

Pulakesi II, the most famous of the early Chalukya kings, had defeated Mahendravarman and annexed various northern Pallava provinces. Narasimhavarman vowed to avenge this defeat. He married the Pandya princess Vanama Devi and then began his invasion towards Vatapi. He led his army along with his general Paranjothi and invaded Vatapi, successfully defeating and killing Pulakesi II in 642. He returned to Kanchipuram as a victorious emperor, and was given the title ''Vatapikondan'' (one who destroyed Vatapi).then his general went as a sage with the name siruthondar.during this war paranjothi brought the statue of vinayaga to tamilnadu.

Vatapi Kondan

Narasimha Varman I, is believed to be a skilled war planner. When, Pulikesi, the then Chalukyan king waged the war against Pallavas the second time, Narasimha Varman I, was ready for him. Narasimha Varman I, did not come out of his Kanchi fort when Pulikesi surrounded the fort. Bewildered, Pulikesi, marched south with his army and was surprised when the Pallava army trapped them at Manimangalam, a place near present Chennai.
The Pallava army fought bravely against the Chalukyas. The Chalukyan army retreated and Narasimha Varman I, chased them until they reached Vatapi, the present Badami, and burnt it to ashes.
Vatapi was never the Capital again. Narasimha Varman I gained the name 'Vatapi Kondan'