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

He used to grind rice for a living and offered half of the flour to the seekers and used to consume the rest himself.

[2] As per another legend, Vishnu appeared in the place to marry Lakshmi, who was born as the daughter of Dilipa, the king of Dharmasenapura.

[4] As per yet another legend, Shiva was not invited by Daksha, the father of Dakshyani and wife of Siva for a big yagna (sacrifice).

The inscriptions from the eastern wall of the Vahanamandap indicates gift of 130 pons of gold by Veera Raghava Sadagoppa Jiyar, the thirteenth seer of Ahobila Matha to the temple during 1630-75.

[7] Most scholars believe that the major structures of the temple were built by Vijayanagar kings during 14th century.

There is an inscription on the Eastern wall in 1542 CE indicating grants to the temple by Thanjai nayak kings.

There are also shrines to Ganesha, Gopalan, Nammalvar, Chakratalvar, Andal, Vedanta Desika, Ramanujacharyar, and Lakshmi Narasimhar.

The presiding deity Veeraraghava swamy is in a recumbent position (called Bhujanga sayanm) facing east.

The presiding deity Veeraraghava Perumal is believed to cure diseases of his devotees and hence he is called "Vaithiya Veeraraghavan".

There is another legend that Lord Shiva got rid of his Brahmahathi Dosha after worshipping Vishnu in the place.

[7] There is an ornate four pillared black stone hall called Vellikilamai mandapam where the festival image of the presiding deities are displayed every Friday.

A dip in the tank is believed to relieve the devotee from sins he committed in thought as well as action.

[10] Thousands of devotees take a holy dip during new moon days and also pour molasses into the temple tank.

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

The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 8:30 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Veeraraghava Perumal and Kanakavalli Thayar.

During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) and Naalayira Divya Prabandam are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast.

The other festivals associated with Vishnu temples like Krishna Jayanthi, Saturdays of Tamil month Puratassi, Navratri, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vijayadasami are celebrated during the respective days.