[2] The legend of the Cheraman Perumal is narrated in the hagiographic 'Periyapuranam, composed by Chekkizhar, a courtier of Chola Kulottunga II, in mid-12th century AD.

[6][7][2] Historians tentatively identify the saint with Rama Rajasekhara, the 9th century ruler of the Chera Perumal kingdom of Kerala.

[1][8] The Cheraman Perumal, according to tradition, was born in the ruling family of Malai-nadu (which had its capital at Kodunkolur or Makotai by the ocean).

When the then king 'Chenkor-poraiyan' abdicated his throne, the ministers persuaded the young Cheraman or 'Perumakkotaiyar', also known as 'Kalarirrarivar', to take up the reins of the kingdom (the prince was sitting in meditation at the Tiruvanchaikkalam at this time).

The two became close friends over time and started on a long pilgrimage across south India (visiting Kirvelur, Nagaikkaronam, Tirumaraikkadu, Palanam, Agastyanpalli, Kulagar-Kodikkoyil, Tirupattur, Madurai, Tiruppuvanam, Tiruvappanur, Tiruvedagam, Tirupparangunram, Kurralam, Kurumbala, Tirunelveli, Ramesvaram, Tiruchchuliyal, Kanapper, Tiruppunavayil, Patalesvaram, Tirukkandiyur and Tiruvaiyyaru) .