

Although the worship of Ayyappa was more widespread earlier, his worship is now mainly confined to South India. Ayyapa is considered to be the union of Mohini (Vishnu) and Shiva. Ayyappa is also known as the Hindu god of self-control. Ayyappan ( Sastha or Dharmasastha or Manikandan) is a Hindu deity popular in the Southern India, particularly in the state of Kerala.
