In Kerala, various regions have many miniature temples, which are constructed out of tender coconut frond and plantain leaf stalks. During the construction, many are sung on the legendary focus between Ayyappan and Vavar. In tune with the various rhymes and rhythms of these devotional songs, two dancers in the costume and make up of Ayyappan and Vavar perform this dance. During the dance they strike each other with swords and defend with coconut fronds, and their steps & facial expressions are descriptive enough to illustrate the theme during the dance.