It is classified as Karakkoil, a temple fashioned after temple chariots which are taken in procession around the temple during festivals. The temple sanctum is a square, have thick walls on which the "vimana" superstructure rises to a height of . The circumambulatory path is not provided immediately around the sanctum, as is found in the Thanjuvur big temple and the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple. Rather, this path is outside in the courtyard. The sanctum "garbha griya" is connected to the "mukha-mandapa" through the "ardha-mandapa" supported on pillars and flanked by two massive dvarapalas. The "maha-mandapa" is a rectangle of about by , with six rows of right pillars (forty-eight total). These have reliefs and intricate carvings. Towards the east of the "maha-mandapa" is the "agra-mandapa" also called the "Rajagambhiran-tiru-mandapam" after the king. This hall is shaped like a chariot, provided with stone horses and wheels. The design is similar to the "Nritta-sabha" (community dance hall) of the Chidambaram temple and the Konark Sun Temple near Puri, Odisha.