The area of the shrine sprawls over a massive patch of land covering approximately 30, 181 square feet. There are four towers that can be found in the temple, called 'gopurams'. The tower which is found in the east, is the tallest, out of all the others, and comprises of 11 floors. There is a passageway that is located close to the shrine that is about 100 metres long and approximately 4.6 metres broad. One can find five carriages in the shrine, and all of them are silver plated, these are used to transport the idols of the shrine, during certain festivals. This shrine is the biggest of all the shrines that are dedicated to Lord Shiva that can be found in this town. There is a tower, referred to as a gopuram, which comprises of nine floors, which is 125 feet tall that can be found in the middle of the town, sprawling over 4 acres of land. One can find three aligned compounds, as well that host many such gopurams. The main idol of the shrine is said to be that of Adi Kumbeshwar, and it can be found in the middle. It is believed that Lord Shiva, himself constructed this idol, which can be seen as a linga, that was formed when he combine the nectar of everlasting life with sand. The shrine of his wife, Manthrapeeteswari Mangalambika can be seen aligned towards the left hand side of the shrine of Kumbeshwar.One is also able to see a large hall located inside the shrine. As one moves ahead of the flagpole, one is able to view a corridor featuring beams, the brackets of which have the drawings of yali, made on them, which guides one to a tower called the gopuram. Subramanya's idol is composed of not twelve, but six fists or palms. The kiratamurti and the nagaswarams which are made out of stone are what a majority of the people who visit the temple are attracted to.

The festival of Mahamaham, is celebrated every twelve years during the month of Masi, according to the Tamilian calendar. People from different states of India visit this shrine to rake a dip in the Mahamaham reservoir, which is found in the core of Kumbakonam.