Ayyappan (Aiyyappa or Sastha or Sabri or Manikantha) is a Hindu deity particularly popular in the South Indian state of Kerala. Although devotion to Ayyappan has been prevalent in Kerala for hundreds of years in the rest of South India it has become popular only in the late 20th century. According to Hindu theology he is the son of Harihara (Mahavishnu in the form of Mohini) and Shiva. Ayyappan is also referred to as Ayyappa Sastavu Hariharasudhan Manikantan Shasta or Dharma Shasta and Sabri.