Amman, the Divine Mother

In almost every Tamil town and village you will find a temple to Amman (அம்மன்), the Divine Mother. The word simply means "mother", and that is exactly how devotees think of her: a loving mother who comforts her children, and a mighty protector strong enough to defeat any evil. She is Shakti (சக்தி), divine energy, and she appears in many forms: the royal Meenakshi of Madurai, the compassionate Kamakshi of Kanchipuram, the healing Mariamman, and the fierce guardian goddesses who watch over fields and village borders.

Who is Amman?

In Hindu belief, Shakti is the power through which the whole world lives and moves. In Saiva tradition, Shiva and Shakti are said to be inseparable, like fire and its heat. As Parvati, also called Uma, she is the consort of Shiva and the mother of Ganesha and Murugan.

The Mother also takes other well-loved forms. As Durga she is the warrior who, according to the Puranas, defeated the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. As Lakshmi she brings prosperity, and as Saraswathi she blesses learning and the arts. Many devotees believe that all these goddesses are forms of one supreme Mother, Parasakthi (பராசக்தி).

Names and forms

• Meenakshi (மீனாட்சி) – "the one with fish-shaped eyes". In Madurai she is honoured as a Pandya princess who ruled the kingdom and married Sundareswarar, a form of Shiva. She is usually shown holding a green parrot.
• Kamakshi (காமாட்சி) – "the one whose eyes are full of love", worshipped at Kanchipuram, seated calmly in meditation.
• Akilandeswari (அகிலாண்டேஸ்வரி) – "Queen of the universe", at Thiruvanaikaval.
• Abirami (அபிராமி) – "the beautiful one", at Thirukadaiyur.
• Mariamman (மாரியம்மன்) – a much-loved goddess of rain and healing, believed to protect families from fevers and illness.
• Kaliamman (காளியம்மன்) – a fierce, protective form of the Mother.
• Village goddesses – guardian goddesses, or kaaval deivam (காவல் தெய்வம்), such as Ellaiamman (எல்லையம்மன்), the goddess of the village boundary, and Draupadi Amman. Many families have a kula deivam (குலதெய்வம்), a family deity, often a village goddess, whose temple they try to visit at least once a year.

Symbols and what they mean

• The lotus (தாமரை) – it grows in muddy water yet blooms clean and bright, a reminder to stay pure and kind wherever we are. Lakshmi and Saraswathi are shown seated on lotuses, and lotus designs are a favourite in kolams (கோலம்) drawn for the goddess.
• Kumkumam (குங்குமம்) – the red powder that stands for Shakti and auspiciousness. It is given as prasadam in Amman temples.
• Neem leaves (வேப்பிலை) – sacred to Mariamman and known for their healing qualities. Neem leaves are tied at doorways during Amman festivals.
• The trident (சூலம்) – many village goddesses are worshipped as a simple trident or stone.
• The karagam (கரகம்) – a decorated pot carried on the head in village festivals, which gave its name to the folk dance karagattam (கரகாட்டம்).

Important temples in Tamil Nadu

• Meenakshi Amman Temple – Madurai – famous for its colourful towers and the grand wedding festival of Meenakshi in the month of Chithirai.
• Kamakshi Amman Temple – Kanchipuram – one of the most important temples to the Mother in South India.
• Samayapuram Mariamman Temple – near Tiruchirappalli – one of the most visited Mariamman temples in Tamil Nadu.
• Punnainallur Mariamman Temple – near Thanjavur – a beloved healing goddess of the Thanjavur region.
• Akilandeswari, in the Jambukeswarar Temple – Thiruvanaikaval – the Mother as Queen of the universe.
• Amirthakadeswarar and Abirami Temple – Thirukadaiyur – where many families celebrate a 60th or 80th birthday with special prayers.
• Bhagavathy Amman Temple – Kanyakumari – the goddess who stands at the southern tip of India.

Festivals

• The month of Aadi – Aadi (July–August) is especially dear to Amman. Fridays in Aadi, called Aadi Velli (ஆடி வெள்ளி), are busy days in her temples. Families offer koozh (கூழ்), a simple porridge, and maavilakku (மாவிளக்கு), a lamp made from rice flour and jaggery. On Aadi Pooram (ஆடிப்பூரம்), the goddess is offered bangles in a joyful valaikappu (வளைகாப்பு). On Aadi Perukku, families thank the rivers that feed the land.
• Village festivals – many village goddess festivals include vows such as carrying milk pots or a karagam, and in some places fire-walking, known as theemithi (தீமிதி).
• Navaratri – nine nights in the month of Purattasi, starting the day after the new moon, honouring the Mother as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. Homes set up a golu (கொலு), a display of dolls on steps, and friends visit to share sundal (சுண்டல்). The ninth day is Saraswathi Puja, and on the tenth day, Vijayadasami (விஜயதசமி), many young children write their first letters in rice.

Devotional songs and prayers

• Abirami Anthathi (அபிராமி அந்தாதி) – one hundred verses by Abirami Bhattar of Thirukadaiyur. In the anthathi style, the last word of each verse begins the next one. According to legend, when Abirami Bhattar, lost in devotion, told the king that a new-moon day was a full-moon day, the goddess threw her earring into the sky and it shone like the full moon.
• Lalitha Sahasranamam – the "thousand names" of the Mother, a Sanskrit hymn chanted in many Tamil homes.
• Soundarya Lahari – a Sanskrit hymn in praise of the Mother's beauty, traditionally attributed to Adi Shankara.
• Bharathiyar's songs to Parasakthi – the great modern poet Subramania Bharathi wrote many songs to the Mother, including Kaani Nilam Vendum (காணி நிலம் வேண்டும்).
• Folk songs – village songs to Mariamman, especially during Aadi.

Worship at home

• Fridays are traditionally special for Amman. Clean the prayer corner, draw a kolam at the entrance and light a lamp.
• Offer flowers such as jasmine, a little kumkumam, and a simple sweet like sakkarai pongal.
• Chant Om Shakti, or read one verse of the Abirami Anthathi each day.
• During Navaratri, build a small golu with the children, invite friends over, and send guests home with sundal and a small gift of betel leaves, fruit and kumkumam.
• If your family has a kula deivam, tell the children its story and plan a visit.

Stories to read

• The Fruit of Wisdom – Parvati and Shiva watch their two sons race for a special mango.