01Kandadevar’s temple
Kaduvai is an old name of the Kudamurutti, and the village on its bank is Kaduvaikaraiputhur. The temple’s katha says Kandadevar, minister of King Muchukunda, would not eat before darshan of Shiva and lay hungry here one night; in a dream the Lord told him where He would be found, and Kandadevar raised a temple over the linga with stones and mortar asked of travellers. The king took it as extortion and had him beheaded, then repented and was ready to die himself, and Shiva appeared and restored the minister. Appar’s hymn in the fifth Tirumurai calls the place Kaduvaikkarai Thenputhur and gives thanks in every verse for the sight of the Lord. The ceiling before the Devi’s shrine carries the twelve rasis.
On the Kumbakonam–Valangaiman–Kudavasal bus route, about 13 km from Kumbakonam. On the 11th, 12th and 23rd of Chithirai the sun reaches the sanctum.
