Thirukandiyur is located at a distance of ten kms from Taniavur towards Thiruvaiyyaru. The Moolavar is Sri Hara Shape Vimochana Perumal and the goddess is Kamalavalli Naachiyar. The god stands facing east.

The legend is both Sri Shiva and Brahma originally each had five heads. Once when Sri Parvathi was performing Yagha, Sri Brahma came and Sri Parvathi washed the feet of Sri Brahma and offered worship. Lord Sri Shiva thought that Sri Parvathi was showing respect to Sri. Brahma because he also had five heads and angrily plucked one of the heads of Sri Brahma. Thereupon the Kapalam of Sri Brahma got stuck in the palm of Lord Sri Shiva and could not be removed and was afflicted with the sin of Brahma Hathi.

More over whenever Sri Shiva begged for alms, the food put inthis Kapalam disappeared. Sri Shiva went on Pilgrimage from place to place and came to this place and with the grace of Lord Sri Vishnu was relieved of this curse. Because of this reason the god came to be known as Sri Nara Shapa Vimochana Perumal. Opposite to this temple there is another temple for Lord Sri Shiva and also shrines for Sri Brahma and Sri Saraswathi. But the shrine for Sri Brahma always remains closed.

The Mysore King Sri Tippu Sultan once came to fight his enemy at this place, after which, he successfully won this bathe. Tippu thought this success was due to the grace of this god and thus, became a devotee.