Mahendrravarma was a great patron of letters and architecture. He constructed the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse and also constructed Kanchi University where Vedas, Buddhism, Jainism, Painting, Music & Dance was taught. He was the pioneer of Rock-cut Architecture amongst the Pallavas. The inscription at the rock-cut Mandagapattu Tirumurti Temple hails him as Vichitrachitta and claims that the temple was built without wood, brick, mortar or metal. The five-celled cave temple at Pallavaram was also built during his reign as was the Kokarneswarar Temple, Thirukokarnam of Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu.He made Kudimiya malai Inscription. His paintings are found in Sittanavasal Cave (Tamil Nadu).