Alavan or Alagar is group of people who migrated from Tanjore to Kulasekarapattinam during the Kulothunga Cholan period along with Cholas princess Chitravali. Chitravali married Kulasekara Pandian of the Pandiyan kingdom. These people settled in the surrounding areas. It is believed king Raja Raja Chola send salt pan officers from Tanjore to Kanyakumari to govern salt production. Later they settled there.

The Pannaiyan community is a group of people who live around Tuticorin, Mukkani, Tiruchendur, Kulasekarapattinam (Tuticorin District) and Koothankuli, Uvari from Tirunelveli district and North Tamarakulam, Puthalam, Variyoor from Kanyakumari district and Krishnapuram, Tharakudi, Keelakarai from Ramnad district and few places in Adiramapattinam Tanjore district.

Mostly they occupy government jobs or are teachers and professors.

The Pannaiyan community strongly believe in Lord Muruga as their muppattan and they also have "Perianachi" amman as their kulatheivam. Perianachi is also worshiped in the Tanjore Bragadeeshwara temple.

* Scripture Prayers for the Alavan in India.

It is said that nlike other communities in that area they will not convert to another religion as they are from Chola dynasty.