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

It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Neelamegha Perumal (also called as Neela Meghar) and his consort Lakshmi as Thirukannapura Nayagi.

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

The image of the presiding deity, Neela Meghar, is housed in the sanctum, which is approached through the gateways and the Mahamandapa.

The sanctum also houses the image of Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side of Neela Meghar, Dandaka Maharishi and Garuda.

The metal image of the festival deity, Sowriraja Perumal, is also housed in the sanctum, with four consorts namely Sridevi, Bhudevi, Padmini and Andal.

There are separate shrines for Senai Mudaliar (the general of Vishnu's forces), Nardhana Krishna, the twelve Alvars, Rama, Consort of presiding deity and Thaylapura Nayagi.

[1][3] In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

[1][7] The temple is also mentioned in 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.

[9] Thirukannapuram is one among the eight temples including Tirupathi, Srirangam, Srimushnam, Naguneri, Saligram, Pushkar and Padarikashram that are considered the eight holy centres of salvation in Vaishanavism.

They are believed to stand for the Ashtakshara mantra of "Om Namo Narayanaya", with each centre representing a letter each.

[1] The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis based on Vaiksana Agama.

As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste.

The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Neelamegha Perumal and Tirukannapura Nayagi.

As per the legend, Uparasiravasu, the ruler of fisherman community was trying to remove grains from a storehouse, when a watchman intercepted.

According to one of them, a devotee by name Munayodharan offered the dish made of rice, lentil and ghee to Vishnu everyday in the temple.

Bells were ringing, lights were glowing and a path was defined from his house to the temple where smell of his offering was appearing all the way.

According to another legend, Muniyodharan Pillai, a Chola feudatory was bestowed with the responsibility of collecting taxes in the region.