Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE.

The temple complex actually houses all the shrines within a large concentric walls pierced by a three-tiered Rajagopuram.

Vamana, a dwarf and one of the ten avatars of Vishnu, appeared here to quell the pride of asura king Bali.

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

A sage called Romas wanted to suppress Brahma's thought and he did severe penance at this place.

[2] The Bhagavata Purana describes that Vishnu descended as the Vamana avatar to restore the authority of Indra over the heavens, as it had been taken by Mahabali, a benevolent asura King.

King Mahabali was generous, and engaged in severe austerities and penance and won the praise of the world.

Vamana, in the guise of a short Brahmin carrying a wooden umbrella, went to the king to request three paces of land.

Thirumangai Alvar won a challenge against Saiva Kuravar Sambandar by composing Pasurams in praise of the God in this temple.

It is also the place where Thirumangai Alvar after coming back from North India defeated Thirugnana Sambandar in debate.

[2] The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar in one hymn of Thirunedunthandagam.

The temple rituals are performed four times a day; Tiruvanandal at 8:00 a.m., Kala santhi at 9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:30 p.m., Ntiyanusandhanam at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:30 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 9:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Sarangapani and Thayar.