South Indians of Patna city marked the beginning of Mandala Puja, 2015, with special prayers offered on Bharti Mandapam premises near Patna Museum. During the festival, Lord Ayyappa, believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Saastha (born of the union between Lord Shiva and the mythical enchantress Mohini, who is regarded as an avatar of Lord Vishnu), is worshipped as the deity who upholds righteousness in this world.