Ayyappan

Ayyappan 

Ayyappan is the son of Lord Viṣṇu and Śiva. The energy of compassion (dayā) of Viṣṇu and wisdom (jñāna) of Śiva coalesced into the divine refulgence tejas personified as Ayyappan.;

He is the embodiment of Tapas or austerity — deep meditation which generates the internal heat of both compassion and wisdom.

It is believed that Lord Ayyappan has his divine control over Lord Shani – the ruler of Planet Saturn (Shani) – which governs over karma and karmic debts, forcing the one to work them out through hardships and austerities – towards liberation.

His worship is confined almost entirely to the state of Kerala in South India.

Ayyappan’s iconography is simple — he sits in a yogic posture displaying the Varadā and Abhayā mudras, wearing a jewel around his neck, hence named Manikandan, Literally meaning "With bell around the neck".

Sometimes he is shown riding on a tiger carrying a bow and arrows — symbolizing the harnessing of our courage and sagacity and directing it at the achievement of spiritual development.