The iconography of Ayyappan depicts him as a handsome celibate ( Brahmachari) deity doing yoga and as an epitome of Dharma, who wears a bell around his neck. Ayyappan is also referred to as Ayyappa, Sastavu, Hariharasudhan, Manikandan, Shasta or Dharma Shasta and Sabarinath. According to Hindu theology, he is the son of Harihara ( Vishnu in the form of Mohini, and Shiva). He is considered to be the epitome of dharma, truth, and righteousness and is often called upon to obliterate evil.Īlthough devotion to Ayyappan has been prevalent earlier in South India, his popularity rose only in the late 20th century.
Ayyappan, also called Dharmasastha and Manikandan, is a Hindu deity popular in Southern India.
