It is believed that when Lord Rama was passing through south, he wanted to cross the Kaveri river. This place was earlier a port on the Kaveri river. In order to attain a safe river crossing, Hanuman worshipped a Shivalinga here, which he named as Dayanidheeswarar. Thus, the port got the name 'Vada Kurangu Kadu Thurai' meaning 'The forest-port of the northern monkey' in Tamil which later came to be known as Vadakurankaduthurai. The temple is still located in the village and is an important pilgrimage site.