Recently in certain parts of Kerala new practices in connection with the celebration of this festival have been introduced. Id celebration is to invite members of the sister communities to participate in such functions. The presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a considered symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites. Darma Sastha is believed to have fulfilled his mission in life and rejoined his Supreme Self, enshrined at Sabarimala. The temple is tucked away in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats and can be reached only by foot.
Pilgrims have to traipse through the narrow tracks in thick forests infested with wild animals.
Those wishing to perform pilgrimage have to undergo forty-one day s penance consisting of strict celibacy, daily ablutions and daily prayers. Early mornings and evenings in the festival season Kerala villagers will be reverberating with dedication calls of Ayyappa devotees. On that evening they descry Makara Vilakku, appearance of a strange light in the distant hill indicating the presence of God and return ennobled and strengthened in spirit. Situated not far from the is a shrine in the name of Vavar, a Muslim, who was thought to be a close aide of Sri Ayyappa. It is a rare experience to see the Hindu devotees worshipping at the shrine of Vavar indicating the communal harmony in Kerala.