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.

It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Sowmyanarayana Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumamagal.

[1] The temple is known as the place where Ramanuja, the expounder of Vishishtadvaita philosophy preached the holy ashtakshara "Om Namo Narayanaya" to all people, irrespective of their varna.

[2] Sowmyanarayana Perumal temple covers an area of about 2 acres (0.81 hectares) and has a five-tiered gopuram (gateway tower).

The central shrine houses the image of the presiding deity, Uragamellayan Perumal in reclining posture on a snake bed similar to that of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple.

[5] Sowmyanarayana Perumal temple is revered in Naalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Perialvar, Thirumalisai Alvar, Bhoothathalvar, and Peyalvar.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.

[4] The temple is known as the place where Ramanuja, the expounder of Vaishnavadatta philosophy preached the holy ashtakshara "Om Namo Narayana" to all people.

In modern times, the temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.