Ayyappan's annual festival is a time of pilgrimage for ever-growing numbers of men from throughout South India. By the 20th century, there has been an increase in the number of worshipers of Ayyappan from many different groups, spurred by vast improvements in transport and communication in southern India. Ayyappan (also called Sastavu, Manikandan or Sasta) is a Hindu deity who is believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sasta, the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu (in the form of Mohini, his only female avatar), He is generally depicted in a yogic posture, wearing a jewel around his neck, hence named Manikandan,Literally meaning 'With bell around the neck'.
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