Architecture and History plays a significant role when you are in and around Mahabalipuram. Yet another cave temple in Mammalapuram, which is located on the Coromandel coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. Pancha Pandava Cave Temple is the important cave temple of the ten cave temples built in Mahabalipuram.

This is the largest cave temple in Mahabalipuram, and the architecture style used was the Indian rock-cut style, which dates back to the 7th century. The columns of the verandah, which have lion bases are a typical style of Pallava architecture. From the architectural features carved in the cave it is conjectured that this style could be assigned to Narasimhavarman I Mamalla period to Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha during the mid-7th century.

This structure is an amazing example of the ancient and brilliant south Indian architecture. The structure has been standing strong through time and remains a brilliant rock cut marvel. Look for the hidden lion, and elephant behind one of the columns near the inside ramp on the right side.

The entrance to the cave has columns resting on seated lions, which is a typical Pallava style of rock-cut architecture.There are six lion based pillars on the front façade of the cave, apart from two pilasters at both ends abutting the rock. As compared to other caves there is an improvement in the layout and the architectural elements that have been carved in the cave.