Ajima (Nepal Bhasa:अजिमा) is a group of goddesses of the Newar pantheon. These goddesses are respected by all sects and castes of Newars, both from Hindu and Buddhist religion. If we look Ajimas from sky, they look like a sword. So, it is said that the Ajimas protect Kathmandu Valley.
The eight Ajimas of Kathmandu are also worshipped as Asthamatrika
The word "Ajima" comes from two Nepal Bhasa words, "Aji" meaning grandmother and "Ma" meaning mother. This deity represents all the female ancestors of Newar who have been deified under the influence of the Shaktism branch of Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism.[citation needed]
History
Newar society was a matriarchial society initially.[1] During that era, Ajimas were the most respected deities. Even after the addition of other indigenous deities e.g.-Majipa Lakhey, Lokeshwars (e.g.-Janabahadya), Kumari and other deities of Hindu and Buddhist religions, the deity is still considered of primary importance by Newars.
Influence
These deities are revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. She is regarded as the protector of children as well.[2] The core city of Kathmandu (which was the city built by planners of Gunakamdev, the founder of Kathmandu),[3] has eight Ajima temples strategically situated at the peripheries of the city. These temples of Ajima used to contain army barracks (the army headquarters is still at the side of Lunmari Ajima aka Bhadrakali). So, these Ajima temples are believed to be protectors of cities as well.
The eight Ajimas or Astha Matrika (eight matriarchs) of Kathmandu are as follows[1]-
^ abPage 11, Jigu lumantie yen de mhigah wa thaun by Tirtha Narayan Manandhar, ISBN99946-2-345-1
^. Archived from the original on 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
^Basu Pasa (बासुपासा). Kantipur (कान्तिपुर) (in Nepali).
January 12, 2023
ajima, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, december, 2013, lear. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Ajima news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message Ajima Nepal Bhasa अज म is a group of goddesses of the Newar pantheon These goddesses are respected by all sects and castes of Newars both from Hindu and Buddhist religion If we look Ajimas from sky they look like a sword So it is said that the Ajimas protect Kathmandu Valley The eight Ajimas of Kathmandu are also worshipped as Asthamatrika Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Influence 4 See also 5 ReferencesEtymology EditThe word Ajima comes from two Nepal Bhasa words Aji meaning grandmother and Ma meaning mother This deity represents all the female ancestors of Newar who have been deified under the influence of the Shaktism branch of Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism citation needed History EditNewar society was a matriarchial society initially 1 During that era Ajimas were the most respected deities Even after the addition of other indigenous deities e g Majipa Lakhey Lokeshwars e g Janabahadya Kumari and other deities of Hindu and Buddhist religions the deity is still considered of primary importance by Newars Influence EditThese deities are revered by both Hindus and Buddhists She is regarded as the protector of children as well 2 The core city of Kathmandu which was the city built by planners of Gunakamdev the founder of Kathmandu 3 has eight Ajima temples strategically situated at the peripheries of the city These temples of Ajima used to contain army barracks the army headquarters is still at the side of Lunmari Ajima aka Bhadrakali So these Ajima temples are believed to be protectors of cities as well The eight Ajimas or Astha Matrika eight matriarchs of Kathmandu are as follows 1 Pasikwa Ajima Lunmari Ajima Fibwa Ajima Nai Ajima Kanga Ajima Lunti Ajima Thanbahi Ajima Chandralakhu Ajima Phisa AjimaSee also EditNewar Nepal Bhasa Kathmandu Kathmandu Metropolitan CityReferences Edit a b Page 11 Jigu lumantie yen de mhigah wa thaun by Tirtha Narayan Manandhar ISBN 99946 2 345 1 Jwajalapa Archived from the original on 2011 08 13 Retrieved 2011 09 18 Basu Pasa ब स प स Kantipur क न त प र in Nepali Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ajima amp oldid 1132469642, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
