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Architecture: The writings imprinted all through the temple walls point out the antiquity of the shrine. These epigraphic facts give information about the ancient and significant inscription of the 8th century AD of the Pallava age. This also reveals that the temple construction was done during the reign of Pallava dynasty. You can see that the Pallava writings have been preserved carefully in the front Mandapam of the temple. You will be amazed by the superb architectural beauty of this place of worship. Another spectacular point is that there are two temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu here. That means you can find one temple on the base hill and the other temple on top of the hill. Therefore, this place is called Thiruneermalai. You can see that the base temple is dedicated to Lord Rama also known as Neervanan and up the hill you can see sanctums for Lord Ranganatha (Kidanthaan - in reclining posture), Animamalarmangai Thayaar, Trivikrama (Nadanthaan - in standing posture) and Lord Narasimha (Irundhaan - sitting posture). This hill temple can be accessed by means of a flight of 200 steps, to reach the four sanctums. The first Moolavar (Main) shrine is of Shanta Narasimhan, in a seated posture facing towards east. Next, is the sanctum of Lord Ranganathar in a reclining position, facing the direction of south. Here you can also find Thayar shrine facing south. The fourth chamber is that of Trivikraman (Nadandan), in a standing position facing east.

Importance of the temple: The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam sthalams of Lord Vishnu. The Thiruneermalai Kshetram is also known as "Thoyagiri Kshetram" and "Thothadri". Thoya means "Water" and Adhiri means "Mountain" (malai). Since the mountain is surrounded by water, this holy place is called "Thiru Neermalai".The temple is immensely popular since it has a special feature: the Lord is found in various positions like Nindraan (Standing), Irunthaan (Sitting) , Kidanthaan(Reclining) and Nadanthaan (Walking) positions.

Legend: At the foothill of this temple, it looks like Neervannaperumal is giving Darshan to Sage Valmiki. The legend says that when Valmiki worshipped Lord Ranganatha and Goddess Ranganayaki in the base temple, they took the avatar of Lord Rama and Sita. As you visit the top of the temple the Lord appears as Ranganatha, Shanthanarasimha and Trivikrama. As per the Vaishnava tradition, the Lord appears in standing, sitting, lying and walking positions. Neervanna as Lord Rama is in the standing position. Mythology says that, Sage Valmiki requested for Rama’s darshan by saying that he had finished the great epic Ramayana dedicated to Lord Rama. Legend says that, Thirumangai Azhwar, one of the 12 Azhwars of the Vaishnava tradition used to sing hymns on Lord Vishnu. Thirumangai Azhwar, talks about the Vamana Avatar (Dwarf incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. In this avatar, the Lord is in the walking position asking where he should place his third step after measuring the world in two steps. Devotees can also see Lord Shantanarasimha in this temple. The legend for this deity comes from the Prahlada story.

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