Special cover on Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple

The temple was built according to the Tachushastram. The sanctum sanctorum inside the nallukettu is surrounded by a sprawling courtyard which houses Upadevathas, Kuthambalams and other ancillary shrines. The temple is an architectural marvel. All four sides of the Kuthambalams are symmetrical and one can see the epics of Ramayana carved on the wooden panels. The temple has a number of murals depicting the stories of Shiva and Dashavathara.

The whole temple complex occupies about 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land which is rich in many trees and plants.

The temple has four identical gopurams at the four entrances of the temple. There is a banyan tree on steps which is considered sacred by the devotees. The Aanakottil (Elephant stable) and Kodimaram (Flag Post) is placed close to the eastern entrance. The Kodimaram built in 1960 is only 42 feet long. To the side of Kodimaram lies the Balikkalpuras. Like that in Guruvayoor temple, one could clearly see the idol of chief deity from the main entrance itself.

The temple has shrines for various sub deities in different locations. The southeast entrance constitutes of the shrines of lord Ayyappa and Ganesha. Naga pratishtas are also close to these shrines. In the northwest section, there is a Chethi (Jungle flame) flower groove, commonly seen in many Hindu shrines across Kerala. The eastern section includes the shrines of lord Subhramaniya and Durga and the northeast section has the installation of Brahmarakshas which is according to the myths the soul of a priest assassinated inside the temple.