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Ayyappan

Ayyappan, also known as Sri Ayyappa, Hariharasuta or Dharmasastha, is a Hindu god revered primarily in South India. He is traditionally regarded as the son of Vishnu (in his Mohini form) and Shiva, and is commonly associated with dharma, righteousness and celibacy. The title Hariharasuta (son of Hari and Hara) reflects this dual parentage.

In popular legend, Ayyappan was found as a child by the King of Pandalam and raised as

The principal shrine of Ayyappan is the Sabarimala Temple in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The temple

Makara Jyothi, a celestial light observed during Makara Sankranti, is a prominent associated festival at Sabarimala

a
prince.
He
is
said
to
have
taken
a
vow
of
celibacy
and
to
have
defeated
the
demon
Mahishi,
embodying
the
triumph
of
good
over
evil
and
the
discipline
of
dharma.
He
is
often
described
and
depicted
as
a
yogi,
seated
in
a
meditative
posture
and
revered
as
a
benevolent
guardian
of
justice
and
virtue.
sits
atop
the
sabarimala
hills
and
is
approached
by
devotees
via
the
18
steps,
known
as
Pathinettam
Padi.
Devotees
undertake
a
strict
pilgrimage,
including
a
vratham
of
typically
41
days,
during
which
they
observe
continence,
vegetarianism,
abstinence
from
alcohol,
and
other
spiritual
disciplines,
before
undertaking
the
pilgrimage
to
the
temple.
and
draws
large
crowds.
Beyond
Sabarimala,
Ayyappan
is
worshipped
in
many
temples
across
Kerala
and
other
parts
of
South
India,
where
he
is
venerated
as
a
form
of
dharma
Shasta
and
a
compassionate,
yogic
deity.