The legend of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar and Sundarar appears to have originated in pre-Chola times. Their extant forms took shape only later, at the courts of the Chola kings, around the late 10th to 12th century AD. In due course, Cheraman Perumal learned of the lyricist
Sundarar through a vision of the
Nataraja of
Chidambaram. Sundarar, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, was singing at the Chidambaram Temple, and the king wished to meet him and pay homage. Accordingly, he left his capital and, after travelling through the Kongu country, eventually arrived at
Chidambaram. He then continued to Tiruvarur, where he met Sundarar in person. Over time, the two became close companions and embarked on a long pilgrimage across south India. Their journey included visits to Kirvelur, Nagaikkaronam, Tirumaraikkadu, Palanam, Agastyanpalli, Kulagar-Kodikkoyil, Tirupattur, Madurai, Tiruppuvanam, Tiruvappanur, Tiruvedagam, Tirupparangunram, Kurralam, Kurumbala, Tirunelveli, Ramesvaram, Tiruchchuliyal, Kanapper, Tiruppunavayil, Patalesvaram, Tirukkandiyur, and Tiruvaiyyaru. Years later, Sundarar visited his fellow devotee, Cheraman Perumal, in Kodunkolur and remained in the city as a royal guest for some time. One day, messengers from Lord Shiva arrived at
Tiruvanchaikkalam to inform Sundarar that it was time for him to return to
Mount Kailasa. Sundarar ascended to Kailasa on a white elephant, with Cheraman Perumal following him on horseback. == References ==