According to Hindu theology, he is described as the son of Shiva and Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu), thus representing a bridge between Shaivism and Vaishnavism.

In the later years, the stories of Ayyappan expanded with various versions describing him as a warrior who protected people from evil doers while helping restore Dharmic practices and he evolved to be a deity.

His abode Sabarimala is located on the banks of river Pamba in the forests of the Western Ghats, and is a major pilgrimage destination, attracting millions annually.

Pilgrims often engage in weeks of preparations in advance by leading a simpler life, remaining celibate, and trekking to the hill on barefoot while carrying an irumudi (a bag with offerings) on the head.

[2][6] He is described as the son of Mohini (the female form of Vishnu) and Shiva with the name Ayyappan connoting as "lord-father".

[9] In the Hindu scriptures such as Vishnu Purana and Srimad Bhagavatham, he is referenced as Dharmasastha and Sastha, meaning "ruler of the realm".

[10][13] Ayyappan is a warrior deity and is revered for his ascetic devotion to Dharma, the ethical and right way of living, to deploy his military genius and daring yogic war abilities to destroy those who are powerful but unethical, abusive and arbitrary.

[23] There are minor variations in the story in certain versions with Ayyappa renouncing the kingdom and becoming an ascetic yogi in a forested mountain.

[25][26][27] According to Paul Younger, supplementary legends appeared in the late medieval times that linked other Hindu deities and mythologies to Ayyappan.

One such version has roots between the 1st and 3rd century CE, where he evolved to be a deity who protected traders and merchants from enemies such as robbers and plundering outlaws.

[28] According to Eliza Kent, the legends in the Ayyappa tradition seem to be "artificially mixed and assembled into a kind of collage".

[30] Ruth Vanita suggests that Ayyappan probably emerged from the fusion of a Dravidian god of tribal provenance and the Puranic story of Shiva and Mohini's interaction.

[17][34][35] While there are many temples in South India whose presiding deity is Ayyappan, the most prominent shrine is located at Sabarimala on the banks of river Pamba in the hills of Western Ghats in Kerala.

[39] Pilgrims often begin preparations weeks in advance by leading a simpler life, remaining celibate, eating a vegetarian diet or partially fasting and wearing a black or blue dress.

[38][41] The pilgrims bath in the Pamba river and embark on a trek to the top of the hill on barefoot while carrying an irumudi (a bag with two compartments containing offerings) on the head.

[45] Temples at Tamil Nadu are located in Anna Nagar,[46] Mahalingapuram,[47] Perambur,[48] and Rajah Annamalaipuram in Chennai,[49] and Coimbatore.

[54] Ayyappan remains one of the few deities in Hindu tradition, who is respected by other religious communities, including Muslims, and Christians.

[57] A mosque dedicated to Vavar stands next to the Kadutha swami shrine at the foot of the pilgrimage path, both as a form of guardian deities.

The Vavar legend and palli shrines may reflect the Hindu approach to accepting and co-opting legendary figures or saints of other religions within its fold.