Usually the temples in Tamilnadu have their main entrance towers built on the eastern side of the temple. In Thiruchendur the main entrance tower is built on the west though this is not used as an entrance. This is because the temple is built on the sea shore and the sea is close to the eastern border of the temple.This is the only one among the six famous temples called 'Aarupadai veedu' not situated on the top of a hill.

The main tower is 137 ft high and is 90 ft by 65 ft at the base. It has 9 levels and to indicate this has 9 'Kalasams' (finials) at the top. The entrance to the temple is from the south. There is a large 'mandapam' in front of the south entrance called 'Shanmugavilasa mandapam' of 120 ft by 86 ft in dimension. There are two 'praharams' surrounding the sanctum and shrines to various deities can be seen in these two corridors. After circumambulating the two corridors you reach the 'Mahamandapam'. From here you can enter the inner area in front of the sanctum from where you can see the main deity.

The main deity is sculptured in black granite and appears in the form of a devine and beautiful youth in a pose offering blessings. Next to this is another sanctum for Lord Arumugan facing south.