 Most of the images are attributed to Rajasimha Pallava (700-728 A.D.), Mahendra Pallava (580-630 A.D.), Narasimha Pallava (630-668 A.D.) and Parameswara Pallava (670-700 A.D.).Somaskanda was the principal deity during Pallava period replacing "lingam", including the temples at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO world heritage site.But the cult was not popular and Somaskanda images were relegated to subshrines.