Constructed in the Kerala style of architecture, it is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the Alvar saints.

The sacred jewels, called Thiruvabharanam of Ayyappan are taken in procession to Sabarimala each year from Pandalam, and Aranmula Temple is one of the stops on the way.

Also, the Thanka Anki, golden attire of Ayyappan, donated by the king of Travancore, is stored here and taken to Sabarimala during the Mandala season of late December.

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is one of the five ancient shrines in the Chengannur area of Kerala, connected with the legend of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

It is also believed that here, Vishnu revealed the knowledge of creation to the god Brahma, from whom the Madhu-Kaitabha demons stole the Vedas.

There is another story, which says it was brought in a raft made of seven pieces of bamboo, out of which one got separated at a place 2 km upstream of the current Temple's location on the banks of Pamba.

On the ninth day of the battle, the Kauravas reigned supreme under the leadership of Bhishma, when Krishna motivated Arjuna to take initiative and vanquish his foe.

It is believed that it is this image of Krishna that is enshrined here, with the Sudarshana chakra This symbolizes the Lord's act of compassion to both his devotees on either side of the battle.

The temple has a two-storeyed gopuram or a gateway tower, with the upper storey having wooden trails covering the Kottupura (a hall of drum beating during festivals).

The metal plated flagpost or Dwajasthambam is located axial to the temple tower leading to the central sanctum and there is a Deepastamba, which is the light post.

The central shrine called Sreekovil houses the image of the presiding deity, who is a standing four-armed Lord Vishnu worshipped as Parthasarathy.

The roof of the temple and some of the pillars have lavish wood and stucco carvings depicting various stories of ancient epics, Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

[11] The outer walls around the sanctum have a series of wooden frames housing an array of lamps, which are lit during festive occasions.

[13] The image of the presiding deity is 6 ft (1.8 m) tall, making it the tallest among the idols of all Krishna temples in Kerala.

As per one legend, Arjuna is believed to have built the temple in Nilakal Narayanapuram and later brought to Aranmula in a raft made with six bamboo.

It is believed that all 33 million Devas (the elements of nature) and Gandharvas would be present in the temple at that time to witness Lord Krishna riding on his vahana, the Garuda.

It is believed that the Aranmula Boat Race is celebrated annually on the Pamba river to commemorate the poor Hindu.

[14] The race is held on the last day of the Onam festival when snake boats around 100 ft (30 m) with four helmsmen, 100 rowers and 25 singers participate.

From then on, the Brahmin was overjoyed and he made it a custom to feed to conduct a feast every year, which is practised in modern times.

[16][17] The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava saint from tamilnadu, Nammalvar in one tamilhymn.