Ayyappa Swamy is a popular Hindu deity worshipped mainly in South India, particularly in the state of Kerala. He is considered to be a form of Lord Dharma Shasta, who is the presiding deity of the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Ayyappa Swamy is revered as a symbol of bravery and virtue, and is worshipped as a deity who represents the ideals of truth, righteousness, and peace. He is considered to be the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini (the female avatar of Lord Vishnu), and is believed to be a symbol of unity and harmony between different religious traditions.

Devotees of Ayyappa Swamy observe a 41-day period of penance and devotion before embarking on a pilgrimage to the Sabarimala temple. During this period, they abstain from eating certain foods, observe celibacy, and perform various rituals to purify their minds and bodies. The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is considered to be one of the largest annual Hindu pilgrimages in the world, attracting millions of devotees from across India and abroad. Ayyappa Swamy is also revered as the patron deity of the forest-dwelling communities of South India, who consider him to be the protector of the forests and wild animals. He is worshipped as a deity who represents the power of nature and the interdependence of all living beings in the ecosystem.