The origins of Kambukuttan are rooted in the folklore of Kerala, with his stories passed down through generations by word of mouth. According to local lore, Kambukuttan was a young boy who lived a life marked by piety, wisdom, and sometimes, mischief. One of the most popular stories about him involves his encounters with a sage or a divine being who, impressed by his devotion or outraged by his misbehavior, strikes him with a stick. This act transforms him into a figure with extraordinary abilities.

Kambukuttan holds a special place in the cultural and religious practices of Kerala. He is often worshipped or revered in the form of a deity or a saint, with people offering prayers and performing rituals to seek his blessings. The worship of Kambukuttan is closely tied to the agricultural cycles and festivals in Kerala, where he is invoked for good harvests and protection from natural calamities.

Another account speaks of Kambukuttan's role in protecting the local population from the tyranny of the Zamorin, a powerful ruler who sought to exert control over the region. Kambukuttan, with his deep understanding of the forest and its inhabitants, was said to have organized a resistance against the Zamorin's forces, using guerrilla tactics and his trusty stick to outmaneuver them.