Panamalai Thalagireeshwarar Shiva Temple, located in Panamalai village in Tamil Nadu’s Viluppuram district, is a significant Hindu temple built during the Pallava dynasty. Credited to King Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimha, this temple dates back to the 7th century. Talagirisvara, along with the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram and Kailasanathar Temple, reflects Pallava architecture's grandeur. Perched atop a small hillock, the temple overlooks Panamalai Lake, adding a serene ambiance to this historic site.
The architectural style of Talagirisvara Temple is distinctive, with a vimana resembling that of the Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram. Inside the garbhagriha, the main sanctum houses a Dharalingam, and a Somaskanda panel on the rear wall, typical of Pallava temples. The shrine faces east, and surrounding the sanctum are three sub-shrines or Anga Kovils that are closely attached to the main shrine. The walls of the Ardhamandapam feature intricate deity panels, including Brahma with Saraswati and Vishnu with Lakshmi.
Later additions to the temple structure include a larger Mahamandapam and additional sub-shrines. The three-tiered vimana has been partially reconstructed, maintaining its original Pallava characteristics, including signature motifs like squatting lion pillars. These pillars exhibit the Pallava’s unique design style, emphasizing both artistic and structural aesthetics. The temple’s intricate carvings and layered sanctums demonstrate the dynasty’s architectural expertise.
A unique feature of the Talagirisvara Temple is its mural painting, particularly in the northern sub-shrine, which preserves a portion of Pallava mural art. The highlight is a painting of Shiva as "Nataraja" in one of the cave walls, considered the earliest representation of Shiva as the cosmic dancer. This artwork showcases the Pallavas' mastery in the arts and offers valuable insights into early Dravidian mural traditions.