The Vadakurangaduthurai temple, located on the northern bank of the river Cauvery near Thiruvaiyaru, is a significant religious site steeped in history and legend. According to ancient lore, the residing deity of this temple was worshipped by Vali, the brother of Sugriva in the epic Ramayana. Interestingly, there exists another temple by the same name, Aaduthurai, which was worshipped by Sugriva and is situated near Thiruvidaimarudur on the Kumbakonam - Mayiladuthurai road. To differentiate between the two, the Vadakurangaduthurai temple, a revered Thevaram temple, is now commonly referred to as Aaduthurai Perumalkovil. The temple is located a little off the roadside and it boasts an impressive five-tiered Rajagopuram and two spacious prakarams. Upon entering through the gopuram gate, visitors are greeted by the vahana Mandapam on the right, with the recently consecrated Navagraha sannidhi to its west. Further westward lies the sannidhi of the female deity, while the Pradosha Nandi can be seen opposite the inner gate leading to the main sanctum. The outer courtyard also houses a cowshed, adding to the temple's rustic charm. Proceeding through the inner gate, one enters the inner courtyard, where the main sannidhi of the deity Valipureeswarar resides. Legend has it that Vali worshipped this deity to seek the restoration of his severed tail during his epic battle with Ravana. The temple's vimana features exquisite carvings depicting Vali's worship of the Shiva Linga, as well as a captivating sculpture of Shiva bending a branch of a coconut tree to a pregnant woman, showcasing the temple's artistic and spiritual splendor.

At the junction of the southern and western walls of the main sanctum, a small yet striking sculpture depicts the scene of Vali worshipping a Shiva Linga with great reverence. Uniquely, in place of the customary Lingothpavar at the rear of the sanctum, one finds an exquisite representation of Arthanareeswarar, portrayed in a form of unparalleled beauty and divine grace. Continuing along the southwestern portion of the complex, devotees encounter a sannidhi dedicated to Maha Ganapathi, followed by the Valli-Devasena Sametha Subramania, where Lord Muruga stands majestically with a serene countenance and four sacred hands, a depiction celebrated in three songs from Arunagirinathar's Thiruppugazh hymns. Adjacent to this are the sannidhis of Kasi Vishwanathar and Gajalakshmi. In the northeast corner of the northern prakaram, facing southward, lies the Nataraja Sabha, where Nataraja, captured in a stone sculpture, performs his ecstatic dance 'Ananda Tandavam' accompanied by Goddess Shivakami. Along the eastern prakaram, one finds an assemblage of deities including Shani, Bhairava, Surya, Naga, the three renowned composers of the thevaram hymns (TiruGyanasambandar, TiruNavukkarasar, Sundarar) and, most intriguingly, a statue of the girl for whom God Shiva is said to have bent the branch of a coconut tree.

The Shiva Linga of the presiding deity DayaNitheeswarar appears with a shorter 'banam' or shaft. Goddess Jata-Makuta Nayaki resides in her sannidhi, her beauty enhanced by her hair elegantly tied up in a knot atop her head. The Goddess is especially venerated and adorned during the auspicious day of the full moon each month. It is widely believed that offering the unique turmeric garland to Jata-Makuta Nayaki has the power to alleviate and nullify all forms of 'doshas' or astrological afflictions that may be causing imbalances or obstacles in one's life. Furthermore, this temple is renowned as a sacred site that pregnant women often visit to seek blessings for a smooth, complication-free childbirth. Worshipping the presiding deities, Shiva and Jata-Makuta Nayaki, is thought to bestow expecting mothers with the divine grace and protection necessary to ensure an easy delivery and a healthy child.