SASTHA/ Saastha/ Shasthavu
1. Aiyappan is not Saastha.(Ayyappan; originally Aryan Kerala Varman, was a human who is said to have merged into Saastha through yogic methods, as per the legends)
2. Ayyanar, Vettaikaaran, Kiratha moorthy, Mutthappan; all are one way or the other related to Saastha. A Sastha will always have a Danda. A stick / perambu/ Manthrakkol, Dharma Dhanda. Pazhani murugan also has a 'Danda' and exclusively face westwards towards kerala( to be noted has relations with Saastha Upasana).
3. Saastha is a highly highly highly Tantric entity which comes under the category 'Kutti'.
(Later years, 'Chaatthan' was added and became 'Kutti Chaatthan').
4. There was/is a 'Vidhya/Upasana' (almost lost)purely attributed to Saastha, which is highly secretive and practised only within a few direct guru-sishya circles.
5. Saastha Comes under the category Kutti.
Some of the 'Kutti's are:
Thee kutti, Poo kutti, Para Kutti Aadhi Kutti, Aanandi Kutti, Karim kutti, Maanicka Kutti, Marudu Kutti, Jaala Kutti, Pookula Kutti, Vendha Kolli, Ponnunni are the few within the 390 Kuttis.
6. Kiratha murthy is the rawest form with no rules and regulations, becomes Saastha when civilized. Sastha becomes Muthappan, in human form with human attributes.
7. 'Kukshi Kalpam'
is a specialized, powerful tantric ritual performed in Kerala, often associated with Shakteya traditions and the worship of Lord Kuttichathan (Shasta) to remove severe black magic (Aabichara Dosha), financial crises, and enemy-related obstacles. It is a bundle of rituals including Homas such as Agora and Sudharsana to provide spiritual protection.
In his dhyanasloka, Ayyappa/Shasta is of dark complexion. So this painting is quite accurate:)