Constructed in 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 is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas of the late 8th century CE, with later contributions at different times from Thanjavur Nayaks.

Soundararaja Perumal is believed to have appeared for Sage Markandeya, Dhruva, Saleesan, and the goddess Bhudevi.

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

During Treta Yuga a prince, Dhruva, heard about the importance of the forest and began a penance, wishing to see Vishnu.

It is believed that two eunuchs, Kandan and Sukandan, attained physical fitness after having a holy dip in Sara Pushkarani, the temple tank.

During the early 20th century, Dratcha Balagurumuthi Chettiyar built the Bhakthiula hall, Chinnaya Chettiyar rebuilt the Vasantha hall, Nachiyappa Pillai rebuilt the Mataipalli, Ramasami Pillai renovated the image of the presiding shrine and the citizens of the town contributed to various other renovations.

[5] A rare image of Narasimha with eight hands, one blessing Prahlada, another showing the abhaya mudra and the others involved in the killing of the asura, Hiranyakashipu, is present in the temple.

As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnava community, from the Brahmin class.

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 Soundararajan and Soundaravalli.

Similar processions are followed during the Maga star of Chittirai and Magam; the five-day festival of Nammalvar during the Tamil month of Aani.

The other festivals associated with Vishnu temples like Krishna Jayanthi, Saturdays of Tamil month Puratasi, Navaratri, Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Vijayadashami are celebrated during the respective days.

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai alvar.

Muthukrishna Dasar, a poet of the early 20th century, has glorified Soundararaja Perumal and Soundaravalli in his works in Pancharatna Pathigam.