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

The temple has three inscriptions in its two rock-cut caves, two dating from the period of Nandivarman II (732–796 CE) and the other to that of Dantivarman (796–847).

Pundarikakshan is believed to have appeared and showered his divine grace to Garuda (vahana of Vishnu), Sibi Chakravarthy, sage Markandeya and Hindu gods Bhoomadevi, Brahma, Shiva, Indra and Chandra.

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

[1][2][3][4][5][6] The influence of Alvars, the Vaishanva saints of the 7th–9th centuries helped spread Vaishnavism to a greater extent among the public and the ruling Pallava kings, who became temple patrons.

[7][8] A Chola inscription indicates an endowment to the shrines of Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu) and his chief consort, Rukmini, inside the temple by King Parakesarivarman (907–955 CE).

[2][3][4][5][6] In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

[1][12] Pundarikakshan Perumal temple is located in Thiruvellarai, a village 27 km (17 mi) from Tiruchirappalli, on the Thuraiyur road.

Pundarikakshan, the presiding deity of the temple is named "Maayavan" during Dakshinayanam and "Thai Maatha Naayagan" during Uttarayanam.

He is believed to have appeared to Garuda, Sibi Chakravarthy, Bhoomadevi, sage Markandeya, Brahma and Shiva, all of whose images are housed inside the sanctum.

[5] The Vijayanagar and Nayak kings commissioned the Krishna paintings on the exterior walls of the shrine of Pundarikakshan; they have clear labels.

The Hindu god Shiva in form of Neelivaneswarar is believed to have worshipped Pundarikakshan to absolve himself from the sin of holding Brahma's severed head.

[1] The sculptures on the pillars of the temple reveal the earliest practice of Krishna worship in Tamil Nadu.

Also, Thiruvellarai is the birthplace of Nammalvar (Vishnuchitthar) is believed to have taught Sri Bhasyam to Nadadhoor Ammal in the temple.

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

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 Pundarikakshan and Pankajavalli.

The chariot festival is unique in the state as a community feast is offered by several individuals and committees, a custom many centuries old.

The processional idols of Pundarikakshan and Pankajavalli are brought to the temple car early in the morning amidst religious chanting.

Ratharohanam, the rituals associated with taking the idols to the temple car, is performed at an auspicious time before commencing the procession.