The temple complex covers an area of 2 acres (0.81 ha) and houses two gateway towers known as gopurams.

The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 108 feet (33 m) The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Vanchinadhaswamy, Yama and Mangala Nayagi Amman being the most prominent.

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Since Vishnu helped Lakshmi, locally called "Sri", the place came to be known as Srivanchiyam.This story is not mentioned in puranas.

The sacred tank of this sthalam (place) is called the GuptaGangai which is square in shape with 150 metres (490 ft).

Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaiva community, a Brahmin sub-caste.

The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Vanchinadha swamy and Mangala Nayagi.

[5][7] During the Tamil month of Kaarththigai (Nov-Dec), Theerthavari (sacred water splash) is conducted in the Guptha Gangai (temple tank) on all Sundays.

[8] Appar, the 7th century Tamil saivite saint poet and nayanar has revered Kumbeswarar and the temple in his verses in Tevaram, compiled as the Fifth Tirumurai.