Isakki - Revision history

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2025-10-05T08:05:59Z

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			{{Short description\|Hindu folk goddess known Isakki Amman or Esakki Amman}}
	{{More citations needed\|date=July 2018}}		{{More citations needed\|date=July 2018}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}
			{{Infobox deity
			\| type = Hindu
			\| image = IsakkiAmman Sri Naga Kanni Amman Temple Thalaivankottai 33.jpg
			\| caption = Statue of Isakki
			\| affiliation = [[Yakshi]]
			\| region = [[Tamil Nadu]]
			}}[[File:Isakki.JPG\|thumb\|Goddess Isakki as portrayed on the gate of a small shrine near Shenkottai, Tamil Nadu]]
			'''Isakki''' ([[Tamil language\|Tamil]]: இசக்கி), also called '''Isakki Amman, Esakki, Esakki Amman''' is a folk [[Hindu]] goddess. The term Isakki derived from the Sanskrit [[Yakshini\|yakshi]], through the [[Prakrit]] ''yakki''.<ref>{{Cite book \|last1=Thurston \|first1=Edgar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FnB3k8fx5oEC&dq=isakki+amman&pg=PA243 \|title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India \|last2=Rangachari \|first2=K. \|date=2001 \|publisher=Asian Educational Services \|isbn=978-81-206-0288-5 \|pages=243 \|language=en}}</ref> Her veneration remains popular among certain Hindu communities in the southern Indian districts of [[Tamil Nadu]],<ref name="research_gate">[https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amirthalingam_Murugesan/publication/315670483_Isakkiamman_-_a_protector_of_ecology_and_culture_of_Kanyakumari_district_of_Tamil_Nadu/links/58da45f092851ce5e92cf119/Isakkiamman-a-protector-of-ecology-and-culture-of-Kanyakumari-district-of-Tamil-Nadu.pdf Tisak Kiamman, A aprotector of Ecology and Culture of Kanyakumari]</ref> specifically the Arulmigu Isakki Amman Temple in Kulasekaranputhoor [[Kanyakumari]], Tirunelveli, and [[Salem, Tamil Nadu\|Salem]] districts. She is generally considered to be one of the 'village deities' (''kaval deivam''). Village deities like her are believed to act as guardian spirits.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://isakkiammankovilsaral.zohosites.com\|title=Arulmigu Devi Sri Isakki Amman Thirukovil, OrappanavilaiSaral\|access-date=2018-11-14}}</ref><ref name="research_gate" />

	~~[[File:~~Isakki.~~JPG\|thumb\|Goddess Isakki~~ as ~~portrayed~~ on the ~~gate~~ of ~~a small shrine near Shenkottai, Tamil Nadu]]~~		==Iconography==
	~~'''~~Isakki~~''' (~~[[~~Tamil language\|Tamil~~]]~~:இசக்கி) (~~[[~~Sanskrit~~]]~~:इसक्कि) (~~[[~~IAST~~]]~~:isakki)~~ or ~~'''Isakkai''' is~~ a ~~[[Hindu]] Goddess. The term Isakki derived from Sanskrit Yakshi through Prakrit Yakki~~. ~~Worshipping her remains popular among Hindus in the southern Indian districts of [[Tamil Nadu]],~~<ref ~~name="research_gate"~~>[https://www.~~researchgate~~.~~net~~/~~profile~~/~~Amirthalingam_Murugesan~~/~~publication~~/~~315670483_Isakkiamman_-_a_protector_of_ecology_and_culture_of_Kanyakumari_district_of_Tamil_Nadu~~/~~links~~/~~58da45f092851ce5e92cf119~~/~~Isakkiamman-~~a~~-protector-of-ecology-~~and~~-culture-of-Kanyakumari-district-of-Tamil-Nadu~~.~~pdf Tisak Kiamman~~, ~~A aprotector of Ecology and Culture of Kanyakumari]</ref> specifically~~ the [[~~Kanyakumari~~]], ~~Tirunelveli~~ and [[~~Salem, Tamil Nadu~~\|~~Salem~~]] ~~districts~~. ~~She is generally considered~~ to ~~be one of the 'village deities' (''or kaaval deivam'' (காவல் தெய்வம்)~~ in ~~Tamil)~~ and is ~~commonly referred~~ to ~~as "Isakki Amman" ('<nowiki/>''Amman'<nowiki/>'' is Tamil for "mother")~~. ~~Village deities are believed~~ to ~~act as guardian spirits~~.~~<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://isakkiammankovilsaral.zohosites~~.~~com\|title=Arulmigu Devi Sri Isakki Amman Thirukovil, OrappanavilaiSaral\|access-date=2018-11-14}}</ref><ref name="research_gate" />~~		Isakki is usually portrayed as a young woman wearing a red dress. She is usually represented by holding a child in one hand and a trident in the other. She is also sometimes represented as standing above a man who lies on the ground.<ref name=":0">The Classical Period of Indian Art :Gupta Art http://www.indianartcircle.com/arteducation/page_7_gupta.shtml</ref> Isakki corresponds to the [[Jain]] [[Yakshini]] [[Ambika (Jainism)\|Ambika]], who is always represented together with one or two children under a tree.<ref>Inscribed stele with the yakshi Ambika https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/i/inscribed_stele_with_the_yaksh.aspx</ref><ref name=":0" />

			==Legend==
			The most common legend associated with Isakki is as follows: Ambika, a housewife, was leading a peaceful family life with her husband Somasharman and their two sons. One day, the [[Tarpana\|tarpanam]] ritual had to be performed for the ancestors of their family, and all the items were duly prepared. However, while Somasharman was away to bathe in the river, Ambika offered food to a starving sage, who begged for it. Somasharman became enraged that the food for the ritual offering had been served to the sage before the necessary rites and [[Puja (Hinduism)\|pujas]], and he chased Ambika and her children away from home. Ambika wandered until she found a calm place to rest. Realising his foolishness later, Somasharman went in to search his wife and children, but fearing him, Ambika gave up her life. After her unfortunate death, it is believed that she took the form of a [[yakshini]], although she still wanted to take care of her growing children. Later, she was able to regain her life for the benefit of her offspring. In doing so, Ambika became the goddess Isakki.

	==Shrines==		==Shrines==
	Unlike the temples of the [[Vedic deity\|Vedic deities]], temples dedicated to Isakki are usually humble shrines decorated with a [[cactus]]-like plant known as ''paalkalli'' in Tamil. When it is damaged, these cacti ooze a milk-like [[sap]] which is considered to be a sign of the goddess Isakki.		Unlike the temples of the [[Vedic deity\|Vedic deities]], temples dedicated to Isakki are usually humble shrines, decorated with a [[cactus]]-like plant known as ''paalkalli'' in Tamil. When it is damaged, these cacti ooze a milk-like [[sap]] which is considered to be a sign of the goddess Isakki.

	Isakki temples usually have a [[Banyan]] or [[bo tree]] located close to the shrine. Women who wish to have children often place small wooden cribs and/or tie pieces of their [[sari]]s to the branches or the visible roots of the tree as an offering.		Isakki temples usually have a [[Banyan]] or a [[bo tree]] located close to the shrine. Women who wish to have children often place small wooden cribs and/or tie pieces of their [[sari]]s to the branches or the visible roots of the tree as an offering.

	==Festivals==		==Festivals==
	Isakki Amman is associated with popular festivals that involve cooking food at the shrine and the dedication of large terracotta figures of the goddess (3 to 4  ft in height) painted in bright colors. During the festival, the deities are anointed with water, coconut milk, rosewater, honey or oil twice a day. These figures are sometimes smeared with a liquid made from mixing [[Calcium hydroxide\|lime]], water and [[turmeric]] (which ritually represents blood). The goddess is then offered rice, cake, fruit, milk while the presiding priest chants prayers. At the end of the ceremony and festival, the food is removed from the shrine.<ref name="research_gate" />		Isakki Amman is associated with popular festivals that involve cooking food at the shrine and the dedication of large terracotta figures of the goddess (3 to 4  ft in height) painted in bright colors. During the festival, the deities are anointed with water, coconut milk, rosewater, honey or oil twice a day. These figures are sometimes smeared with a liquid made from mixing [[Calcium hydroxide\|lime]], water, and [[turmeric]] (which ritually represents blood). The goddess is then offered rice, cake, fruit, milk while the presiding priest chants prayers. At the end of the ceremony and festival, the food is removed from the shrine.<ref name="research_gate" />

	~~==Iconography==~~
	~~[[File:Sri Neminath Adhisthayaka Sri Ambika Devi, Santhu.JPG\|thumb\|Yakshini Ambika, the protector of the 22nd Jain [[Tirthankar]] [[Neminath]], She is the Jain counterpart of Isakki]]~~

	Isakki is usually portrayed as a young woman wearing a red dress. She is usually represented by holding a child in one hand and a trident in the other. She is also sometimes represented as standing above a man who lies on the ground.<ref name=":0">The Classical Period of Indian Art :Gupta Art http://www.indianartcircle.com/arteducation/page_7_gupta.shtml</ref> Isakki corresponds to the [[Jain]] [[Yakshini]] [[Ambika (Jainism)\|Ambika]], who is always represented together with one or two children under a tree.<ref>Inscribed stele with the yakshi Ambika https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/i/inscribed_stele_with_the_yaksh.aspx</ref><ref name=":0" />		==See also==
			* [[Karuppuswamy]]
	==~~Legend~~==		* [[Wish Tree]]
	~~The most common legend associated with Isakki is as follows:~~
	Ambika, a housewife, was leading a peaceful family life with her husband Somasharman and their two sons. One day the "Darpaņam" ritual had to be performed for the ancestors of their family and all the items were duly prepared. However, while Somasharman was away to bathe in the river, Ambika offered food to a starving sage who begged for it. Somasharman became enraged that the food for the ritual offering had been served to the sage before the necessary rites and [[~~Puja (Hinduism)\|pujas~~]], and he chased Ambika and her children away from home. Ambika wandered until she found a calm place to rest. Realising his foolishness later, Somasharman went in to search his wife and children, but fearing him, Ambika gave up her life. After her unfortunate death, it is believed that she took the form of a [[~~Yakshini~~]]~~, although she still wanted to take care of her growing children. Later, she was able to regain her life for the benefit of her offspring. In doing so, Ambika became the Goddess, Isakki.~~

	==References==		==References==
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	==External links==		==External links==
			https://isakkiamman.com/
	{{Commonscatinline}}		{{Commonscatinline}}

	[[Category:Regional Hindu goddesses]]		[[Category:Regional Hindu goddesses]]
	~~[[Category:Heavenly attendants in Jainism]]~~
	[[Category:Tamil deities]]		[[Category:Tamil deities]]
	[[Category:Health goddesses]]		[[Category:Health goddesses]]
			[[Category:Yakshas]]
			[[Category:Childhood goddesses]]

>Ritvik S at 07:38, 23 April 2021

2021-04-23T07:38:03Z

New page

{{More citations needed|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}

[[File:Isakki.JPG|thumb|Goddess Isakki as portrayed on the gate of a small shrine near Shenkottai, Tamil Nadu]]
'''Isakki''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]:இசக்கி) ([[Sanskrit]]:इसक्कि) ([[IAST]]:isakki) or '''Isakkai''' is a [[Hindu]] Goddess. The term Isakki derived from Sanskrit Yakshi through Prakrit Yakki. Worshipping her remains popular among Hindus in the southern Indian districts of [[Tamil Nadu]],<ref name="research_gate">[https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amirthalingam_Murugesan/publication/315670483_Isakkiamman_-_a_protector_of_ecology_and_culture_of_Kanyakumari_district_of_Tamil_Nadu/links/58da45f092851ce5e92cf119/Isakkiamman-a-protector-of-ecology-and-culture-of-Kanyakumari-district-of-Tamil-Nadu.pdf Tisak Kiamman, A aprotector of Ecology and Culture of Kanyakumari]</ref> specifically the [[Kanyakumari]], Tirunelveli and [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] districts. She is generally considered to be one of the 'village deities' (''or kaaval deivam'' (காவல் தெய்வம்) in Tamil) and is commonly referred to as "Isakki Amman" ('<nowiki/>''Amman'<nowiki/>'' is Tamil for "mother"). Village deities are believed to act as guardian spirits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://isakkiammankovilsaral.zohosites.com|title=Arulmigu Devi Sri Isakki Amman Thirukovil, OrappanavilaiSaral|access-date=2018-11-14}}</ref><ref name="research_gate" />

==Shrines==
Unlike the temples of the [[Vedic deity|Vedic deities]], temples dedicated to Isakki are usually humble shrines decorated with a [[cactus]]-like plant known as ''paalkalli'' in Tamil. When it is damaged, these cacti ooze a milk-like [[sap]] which is considered to be a sign of the goddess Isakki.

Isakki temples usually have a [[Banyan]] or [[bo tree]] located close to the shrine. Women who wish to have children often place small wooden cribs and/or tie pieces of their [[sari]]s to the branches or the visible roots of the tree as an offering.

==Festivals==
Isakki Amman is associated with popular festivals that involve cooking food at the shrine and the dedication of large terracotta figures of the goddess (3 to 4  ft in height) painted in bright colors. During the festival, the deities are anointed with water, coconut milk, rosewater, honey or oil twice a day. These figures are sometimes smeared with a liquid made from mixing [[Calcium hydroxide|lime]], water and [[turmeric]] (which ritually represents blood). The goddess is then offered rice, cake, fruit, milk while the presiding priest chants prayers. At the end of the ceremony and festival, the food is removed from the shrine.<ref name="research_gate" />

==Iconography==
[[File:Sri Neminath Adhisthayaka Sri Ambika Devi, Santhu.JPG|thumb|Yakshini Ambika, the protector of the 22nd Jain [[Tirthankar]] [[Neminath]], She is the Jain counterpart of Isakki]]

Isakki is usually portrayed as a young woman wearing a red dress. She is usually represented by holding a child in one hand and a trident in the other. She is also sometimes represented as standing above a man who lies on the ground.<ref name=":0">The Classical Period of Indian Art :Gupta Art http://www.indianartcircle.com/arteducation/page_7_gupta.shtml</ref> Isakki corresponds to the [[Jain]] [[Yakshini]] [[Ambika (Jainism)|Ambika]], who is always represented together with one or two children under a tree.<ref>Inscribed stele with the yakshi Ambika https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/i/inscribed_stele_with_the_yaksh.aspx</ref><ref name=":0" />

==Legend==
The most common legend associated with Isakki is as follows:
Ambika, a housewife, was leading a peaceful family life with her husband Somasharman and their two sons. One day the "Darpaņam" ritual had to be performed for the ancestors of their family and all the items were duly prepared. However, while Somasharman was away to bathe in the river, Ambika offered food to a starving sage who begged for it. Somasharman became enraged that the food for the ritual offering had been served to the sage before the necessary rites and [[Puja (Hinduism)|pujas]], and he chased Ambika and her children away from home. Ambika wandered until she found a calm place to rest. Realising his foolishness later, Somasharman went in to search his wife and children, but fearing him, Ambika gave up her life. After her unfortunate death, it is believed that she took the form of a [[Yakshini]], although she still wanted to take care of her growing children. Later, she was able to regain her life for the benefit of her offspring. In doing so, Ambika became the Goddess, Isakki.

==References==
*Kalpana Ram; Mukkuvar Women.
*[[Xavier Romero-Frias]], The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999.
*Tiwari, M.N.P. (1989). ''Ambika in Jaina arts and literature'', New Delhi: Bharatiya Jnanpith.

{{reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commonscatinline}}

[[Category:Regional Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Heavenly attendants in Jainism]]
[[Category:Tamil deities]]
[[Category:Health goddesses]]