Shankarankovil is a large east-facing temple with a huge 9 tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance in the east. This is preceded by a Mandapam outside. The Rajagopuram leads into the outer Prakaram in the sides. The main corridor leads into the second Prakaram where a large common Mahamandapam is present. There are several large pillars with beautiful carvings here. Straight ahead is the sanctum sanctorum of the main deity Shankaralingeswarar. On the north side is the separate east-facing sanctum of Goddess Gomathiammai. In between these two sanctums is the sanctum of Lord Shankaranarayanar who is represented as a half Shiva and half Vishnu idol. All 3 sanctums have their own Mahamandapam, Mani Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam, Antralaya and a circumambulatory Prakaram. The entrance to the inner Prakaram of the main deity and goddess has 3 tiered gopurams above. The sanctum sanctorum of the main deity has many excellent small carvings around the outer walls including Dwrapalakas, Yoga Narasimha, Karthaveeriyan, Dasakanda Ravanan, Hiranya Samhara Moorthy, Ganapathi, Veena Kali, Badrakali, Mariyaadum Perumal, Agora Veerabadhra, Nataraja, Rishabaroodar, Upadesa Dakshinamurthy, Rudramurthy, Aimukha Brahma, Simhavaahana Ganapathi, Rama, Manmada, Venkatachalapathi, Shenbaga Villavaraki, Shankaranarayanar, Chandrasekharar, Simhasaneswari, Mahavishnu, Balasubramanya, Durga, Shanmukha, Mahishasuramardhini, Kabali, Kalabhairava, Oorthuva Thandavar, Thillai Kali, Gajasamhara Moorthy, Daksha Samhara Moorthy, Uchishta Ganapathi, Rama Lakshmana, Parameswara, Mayuraroodar, Veerabadhra, Trivikrama, Vamana Avatar, and Hamsaroodar. Each of these small works of art requires attention and each one is named to identify easily. The idol of Shankaralingeswarar is a small lingam. Near him is goddess Manonmani. In the north side of the Ardha Mandapam is Nataraja, Sivakami and Karaikal Ammaiyar. A Flagstaff and large Nandi face the main deity outside the sanctum sanctorum. In the pillars are the carvings of King Ugra Pandyan, Umapathi Sivam, and Vadamalaiyappa Pillai praying to the Lord.
Around the prakaram of Shankaranarayanar are some excellent ancient paintings including Tharuna Ganapathi, Bakthi Ganapathi, Veera Ganapathi, Pinjala Ganapathi, Uchishta Ganapathi, Subra Ganapathi, Lakshmi Ganapathi, Vigneswara Ganapathi, Heramba Ganapathi, Narthana Ganapathi, Bhuvana Ganapathi, Oortha Ganapathi, Sakthi Ganapathi, Nithya Ganapathi, Vallabha Ganapathi, Maha Ganapathi, Renganadar, Gnana Sakthidarar, Dhandayudhapani, Devasenathipathi, Subramanya, Yoga Dhandayudhapani, Gajavahanar, Saravanabhavar, Karthikeya, Kumara, Shanmuga, Tharakari Devasenathipathi, Brahmasastha, Valliammai wedding, Pavunnadar, Balasamy, Dasavatar, Kalinga Narthana, and Govardhanagiri Venugopala Krishna. In this sanctum is kept a Spatika Lingam in a beautiful silver case. Ablution is performed only to this Lingam and not the Shankaranayanar idol.
In front of the Goddess’s sanctum is a Sri Chakra. In the north side prakaram of the goddess shrine is a Putru Marundhu (snake mound medicine) which is believed to have medicinal values. A Flagstaff and large Nandi face the goddess outside the sanctum.
In the northeast corner of the outer Prakaram is a small Temple Tank called Naga Theertham. The annual float festival takes place at Aavudai Poigai (Pond) on the south side of Shankarankovil town. The temple cars are stationed outside the Rajagopuram.
Shankarankovil is one of the Pancha Bootha (5 Elements) Temples in the region representing Land (Prithvi). The others are Palvannanadar Karivalamvanthanallur (Fire), Devadanam, Virudunagar District (Sky), Mathyasthanadar, Dharugapuram (Water), Tirupuranathar, Thenmalai (Air).
