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

The temple is one of the Pancha Kshethram where Maha Lakshmi was found as girl child Vanjulavalli - the daughter of Maharishi Medhavi.

The temple is believed to have been built by Kochengat Cholan of the late 3rd century CE, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagara kings.

Vishnu is believed to have appeared to the sage Medhavi and married his daughter at this temple, witnessed by Brahma and other gods.

Six daily rituals and four yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Brahmotsavam, celebrated during the Tamil month of Margali (December–January), is the most prominent.

[1][2] There is another local legend that king Kochengat Cholan was once defeated and he was advocated to seek the blessings of Vishnu, which he obliged.

The flag pole, place of sacrifice and Garuda's shrine are in axial position from the entrance to the main sanctum.

The central hall of the temple, the Goratha Mandapam, houses the images of Ramanuja, Koorathalvar and idols of eleven Alvars, leaving that of Andal.

The first precinct has separate shrines for Manavala Mamunigal and Vedanta Desika and idols of the utsava deities (festive images) of the 108 Divya Desams.

The presiding deity of the temple is Vishnu in the form of Narayur Nambi and his consort Niladevi as Vanchulavalli Thaayaar (also called Neela Devi Nachiyar), both of whom are housed in the main sanctum.

The sanctum also houses the images of Brahma, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Sankarshana and Purushothaman (Vishnu) and a set of gods, who are depicted attending the wedding.

The festive idols of Srinivasa (Vishnu), Sridevi (Lakshmi), Vanjulavalli (Niladevi) and Bhudevi are housed in the same shrine.

As per local legend, the sculptor who sculpted the idol of Garuda got frustrated as the bird flew away each time, a new image was prepared.

The aspect is treated magical as drops of sweat are also observed on the image of Kal Garuda during the six-hour-long procession.

During the festive occasion, Garuda receives honors from Srinivasa Perumal (presiding deity) in the form of dress and ornaments.

Jewels and dress are also presented to Garuda by Ranganatha, the presiding Vishnu form of Srirangam Ranganthaswamy Temple.

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 Srinivasa and Nachiyar.

[5] The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar in hundred hymns.

Thirumangai compares Srinivasa Perumal of the temple with Venkateshwara (form of Vishnu) at Tirupathi and believes that he found the same beauty in both of them.