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 is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas of the late 8th century CE, with later contributions from Vijayanagara kings and Madurai Nayaks.

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

Durvasa explained to him that the curse was on account of the sin he had committed in his previous birth and the god Vishnu would free him.

Suthaba, as a frog, continued his penance under water in the Mendaka Theertham in the temple and Vishnu appeared to him as Sundararajan.

[1] As per another legend, the Hindu god of creation Brahma believed that he was the most handsome individual in the world as he created all the human beings.

Vishnu revealed his true form and conveyed to Brahma that physical appearance is temporary and one has to be good by heart.

The main shrine has the image of the presiding deity Sundararaja Perumal (Vishnu) in reclining posture over his divine serpent Adisesha.

[1] The temple is revered in Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Tirumalisai Alvar in two hymns.

The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushat-kalam at 7 a.m., Kalashanti at 8:00 a.m., Ucchi-kalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandam kalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), naivedyam (food offering) and dipa aradhanai (waving of lamps) for both Sundararajan and Sundaravalli.