Kiruthivakesvarar Temple, Sulamangalam

Kiruthivakesvarar Temple is at Soolamangalam near Ayyampet in Thanjavur district, about a kilometre along the railway station road off the Thanjavur-Kumbakonam road. Appar mentions it in his hymns, and it is one of the seven Saptamangai sthalams of Chakkarappalli; Kaumari, one of the seven mothers, is said to have worshipped here. Shiva is worshipped as Kiruthivakesvarar, a name tied to his slaying of the demon Kayasuran, and also as Kari Urittha Nayanar for killing the elephant; the goddess is Alankaravalli.

The village takes its name from Suladevar, who is said to have worshipped here. Astradeva, the personified weapon of Shiva, also worshipped the god, and legend says Shiva granted him first place in every temple festival. A 4.5-foot figure of Astradeva stands in front of the temple. Dakshinamurthy in the wall niche is shown with matted hair but without his usual banyan tree, and the goddess holds a trident. Parvati is said to have done penance before the god here. Special pujas are held on Thai Amavasai.