The sculptures pertaining to the period of c. 300 – 600 CE shows the introduction of new styles in the temple architecture. The inspiration for the themes for the sculpture was drawn from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jaina traditions.
Varagunavarman II succeeded his father Srimar and ruled the Pandyan empire from 862 to 880 A.D. He made attempts to raise the prestige of Pandyan dynasty by invading the Chola territory.