SOURCE : AGATHIYAR Gp Archives - Dr. Jaybee. With kind acknowledgement :
IN AGATHIYAR GROUP, DR. JAYBEE WROTE:
In Saivaite temples of Tamilnadu, there are many which accommodate Sastha. The Sastha worship is atleast 2300 years old in Tamilnadu. There are several types of Aiyanar or Sastha temples in Tamilnadu. The common ones that you see in Tamil picture is the Aiyanar with large eyes, ferocious looks, armed with a sword and shield, big moustache, etc. But there is another type. This is the Aagamic type. Here you see a very different type of Aiyanar. Very benign. Noble. Lord of the Bhutas. Lord of all Sastras. Guardian. Great Protector. He is always found seated on a peetam with the right leg hanging and the left leg kept on the seat. The left hand rests over the left knee. The Lord is flanked on both sides by his two devis - Purna and Pushkala. He is two armed and carries a horse whip in the right hand. This is known as "CheNdu". Thats why the Lord is known as "Chendaayudhan". He is known as MahaSastha and DharmaSastha, BuuthaNatha, etc. His vahana is an white elephant. He also has a white horse. In certain villages of Sivaganggai, there is a festival called Puravi Eduppu. The names Saaththappan, Saaththaiyaah, Sevugan are common in those areas. Give me your email. I'll try to send a picture of Saaththanaar.