Thiruvilliputhur is a large east-facing temple with an 11 tiered Rajagopuram in the east entrance of the main deity, Vatabadrasayee’s sanctum sanctorum. After the Rajagopuram is the outer Prakaram. A long pillared corridor open in the sides leads inside to the inner Prakaram. On top of the entrance to the inner Prakaram is a small 3 tiered gopuram. This is followed by a large Mahamandapam. The sanctum sanctorum has two levels. In the ground level is the sanctum of Lakshmi Narasimha. An ardha mandapam leads inside. The deity is a beautiful, colorful and large idol. Above this is the sanctum of Lord Vatabadrasayee in the upper level which is reached by climbing steps on the sides. Before this sanctum is a large mandapam called Gopala Vilasam adorned with the wooden panels and sculptures recovered from the ancient temple car which was not in use since it was very heavy. The main deity is a large stucco image and seen in a reclining posture with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi by the side of his feet. The large idol can be seen through 3 doors that open to show the head, body, and feet. Near the lord’s head is Sage Brighu and near the head is Sage Markandeya. Behind Sage Brighu is the Banyan Tree, the leaf (called Vatabadram) of which was under the lord as he rested during a deluge. Around the reclining lord are the celestial Gandharva musicians Tumburu and Kinnara, Sage Narada, Sanat Kumara the eternal youth, Sun, Moon, and Mithuna the zodiac sign of Gemini. Villi credited to have founded the town and his brother Kandan are at the feet. A covered and pillared circumambulatory path is at the ground level around the huge sanctum sanctorum.
On the southern side of the temple is a Nandavanam with a Mandapam where Aandal was found under a Tulsi (Holy Basil) plant by the Vaishnavite Saint Periazhwar as a baby. Further in the southwest is the Sanctum of Lord Vishnu as Rengamannar. This sanctum can be reached through the main temple and also has a separate entrance with a 5 tiered Gopuram on the east side entrance. This is followed by a long Pandha Mandapam and the Kalyana Mandapam on one side. After the entrance is the Maha Mandapam inside. The sanctum sanctorum is entered through an Ardha Mandapam. The Lord is seen here with Aandal on his right side and Garudan on the other side unlike in any other temple. The Vimaanam above this sanctum is called Pranavakirti Vimaanam and the upper sides are filled with stucco image representations from the Thiruppavai Hymns rendered to the Lord by Aaandal (one of the 12 Azhwars).
The mandapams here at Thiruvilliputhur have some exquisite sculptures including Veerabadhra, Manmadha, Mohini, Rati, and many paintings created during the Vijayanagar and Nayak periods. The old temple car modified to be lighter and with hydraulic wheels is one of the largest in Tamilnadu. The 11 tiered Rajagopuram, the tallest in Tamilnadu at 192 feet, is also in the emblem of the Tamilnadu Government. A large temple tank is outside on the northwest side of the town and is called Thirumukkulam.
