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Ten Kurangaaduturai (Aaduturai) and Vada Kurangaaduturai are
the two important Shivastalams, where Sugreevan and Vaali are believed to
have worshipped Lord Shiva. Vada Kurangaduturai is known so because of its
location, north of the river Kaveri, near Tiruvaiyaru. Ten Kurandagudurai
gets its name from its location South of the river Kaveri.
Legends Connected With The Temple
Hanuman and Sugreeva worshipped Lord Shiva here, and Shiva is said to
have revealed a vision of his Cosmic dance to Sugreeva. It is also
believed that Rama killed Vaali at Ten Kurangaaduturai. It is believed
that Hanuman who is said to have lost his tail at Rameshwaram regained it
at Vada Kurangaaduturai.
About The Temples
Ten Kurangaaduturai was rebuilt by Sembiyan Mahadevi - the Chola queen
(10th century); in the rebuilt structure, earlier inscriptions from the
older structure were re-engraved. This temple with 2 Prakarams has a large
RajaGopuram. The niche images here are those of Vinayaka (also spelt as
Vinayak), Nataraja, Agastya, Dakshinamurti, LinGodbhava, Bhrama,
Bhikshatana, Alinganamurti (Lord Shiva and Parvati) and Durga. The sun's
rays illuminate the sanctum for three days in a year. Festivals celebrated
here include Arudra Darisanam, Navaratri and Shivaratri.
Vada Kurangaaduturai was adminstered by the Thanjavur Royal Palace. A
5-tiered RajaGopuram adorns the entrance to this temple with 2 Prakarams
and a spacious front courtyard. Stucco figures representing the legends
associated are seen in this temple and a stone image of Vaali worshipping
Lord Shiva adorns the sanctum. Inscriptions from the Imperial Chola period
are seen in this temple. Stone images of Nataraja and Shivakami adorn the
Natarajar Sabhai shrine also known as "Aadi Chidambaram,
Naalikeravanam".
Rail:The nearest railway station is at
Kumbakonam.
Road: There are regular buses from
Kumbakonam to these temples.
Kumbakonam is just five and a
half hours drive from Chennai
and two and half hours drive from Trichy.
Accommodation is available at the ecomomy class hotels, lodges, and devasthanam cottages in Kumbakonam.