This divya desam is one among the Chola Nattu divya desams and is also known as Svethagiri kshetram. Literally translated, Svetha giri means holy white hill. According to the sthala purana, it is believed that this temple was built by Sibi Chakravarti, an illustrious forefathers of Sri Rama.

Moolavar:	Pundarikaakshan, in a standing posture facing east.
Utsavar:	Pundarikaakshan
Thaayaar:	Shenbagavalli
Theertham:	Padma theertham, Varaha theertham, Mani karnika theertham, Kusahasthi theertham, Kandha theertham.
Vimaanam:	Vimalakruti Vimanam.
Prathyaksham:	Garuda, Sibi Chakravarti, Bhoodevi, Markandeya rishi, Brahma, Rudra and Indra.
Sannithis:	Perumal Sannithi thaayaar Sannithi Udayavar Sannithi

When the temple was built by Sibi Chakravarti, Markandeya rishi wanted to have all the religious functions performed. So he ordered 3700 Vaishnavites from Antarvedi that lies between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers to be brought to tiruvellarai to attend to these functions. Accordingly, 3700 families were brought to Tiruvellaria. During this time, one of the 3700 died, and so Lord himself appeared as a replacement for the departed soul, and completed the festivities. It is said that when one of the 3700 Vaishnavas died, Lord Vishnu himself took the place of the missing person and performed Avini Avittam along with others. During Avani Avittam, even today, Sri Vaishnavas here, have their bath in Kusahasti theertham and proceed to the temple and the homam is performed in the temple precincts itself. In the course of time the 3700 brahmins got dispersed to Srivilliputtur, Tirukoshtiyur, Vembathur, Kidaram Perunkaruani, where there are, even today, identified as Tiruvellarai Sri Vaishnavas. Ramanuja, when he went to Melkote, took 52 families from Tiruvellarai. Another 64 went to Kongu Nadu (present day Erode).

This sthalam has an interesting episode involving Perumal and Thaayaar. It is said that one day there was a delay in Perumal returning after his rounds in the village. Thaayaar asked Him as to why He was delayed and arrived late at a particular entrance. Lord is reported to have told her the reason and only then entered the temple precincts. Sicne then this entrance is known as Naazhi kEtta Vaasal

Another interesting episode involving this sthalam is the fact that Lord promised Thaayaar that she would have Sengol paripalanam. So even today when both Perumal and Thaayaar are taken out in prcession during festivals, the utsavar for Thaayaar will go first and Perumal will follow. Similarly, Thaayaar will reach the moolasthanam before Perumal.

The moolavar who is on top of the hill has to be approached by climbing 59 steps. The first 18 of these are said to represent the 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita. The next 4 steps represent the four vedas. After crossing these, one reaches the Bali peetam. After offering prayer at Bali peetam, one has to cross 5 more steps, which represent the Pancha boothams. After which we find the affromentioned Naazhi kEtta Vaasal. Then one goes around the hill in a pradakshina form, crossing two entrnaces viz., Utharayana and Dakshinayana. After crossing these entrances, there are eight setps representing the Ashtaakshara Mantram. Then comes the final 24 steps that represent the Gayatri Mantram.

At the end of these 24 steps we reach the Moolasthanam, where Perumal is flanked by the Sun God (Suryan) on the right and the Moon God (Chandran) on the left, each facing the moolavar. Gadruda and Adisesha, in their human form, can be seen to the right and left, respectively, of Perumal. Next we see, Markandeya to the right and Bhoomipiraati to the left, both in seated posture performing tapas. In front of the Moolavar is Pankaja nayaki and Pundarikakshan Utsava murthis.

Due to problems in Srirangam, Udayavar spent about 12 years here. There is a sanithi for Udayavar on the street in front of the temple. It is said that when thaayaar asked what He proposed to do for the Sanyaasi staying here, Perumal replied that She should send to him as prasad, food after She has partaken of it. Enven today, the food, after it is offered to Thaayaar, is taken as prasad to the Udayavar sannithi and offered as neivedhyam to Udayavar.

Tiruvellarai is the avathara sthalam for two prominent acharyas, Uyakkondaar and Engalalvan. Uyakkondaar, know intially as Pundarikakshan was one of the two sishyas of Nathamuni, Kurukai Kavalappar is the other. When Nathamuni wanted to wanted to train each the path for moksha, Pundarikakshar took the path of Divya Prabhandam, which has the potential to provide mokasham for the entire human race. Pundarikakshar was able to help the entire world by learning the prabhandas from Nathamuni and making sure that the recitation and the text are preserved for future acharya and bhaktas. Hence Nathamuni, named him Uyakkondar, for his selfless service to others.