Ajima is a group of goddess of Newar

Newar

The Newa , Newār or Newāl) are the indigenous people and the creators of the historical civilization of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. The valley and surrounding territory have been known from ancient times as Nepal Mandala, its limits ever changing through history.Newas have lived in the Kathmandu...

 pantheon. The Goddess represents the female ancestors of a Newar. These goddess are respected by all sects and castes of Newars irrespective of religion.

Etymology

The word "Ajima" comes from two Nepal Bhasa

Nepal Bhasa

Nepal Bhasa is one of the major languages of Nepal, and is also spoken in India, particularly in Sikkim where it is one of the 11 official languages. Nepal Bhasa is the mother tongue of about 3% of the people in Nepal . It is spoken mainly by the Newars, who chiefly inhabit the towns of the...

 words, Aji meaning grand mother and Ma meaning mother. This deity represents all the female ancestors of Newar who have been deitized under the influence of Shaktism

Shaktism

Shaktism is a denomination of Hinduism that focuses worship upon Shakti or Devi – the Hindu Divine Mother – as the absolute, ultimate Godhead...

 branch of Hinduism

Hinduism

Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...

 and Bajrayan Buddhism.

History

Newar society was a matriarchial society initially . During that era, Ajimas were the most respected deities. Even after the addition of other indigenous deities eg-Majipa Lakhey

Majipa Lakhey

Majipa Lakhey is a special Lakhey. He is also known as the peaceful Bhairav. The dance of this lakhey takes place only in the week of full moon of Yenlaa month of Nepal Sambat. This lakhey is considered to be the protector of the children...

, Lokeshwars (eg-Janabahadya), Kumari

Kumari

Kumari, or Kumari Devi, is the tradition of worshipping young pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of the divine female energy or devi in Hindu religious traditions. Kumari means young unmarried girl. Kumari word is derived from Sanskrit word Kaumarya meaning "virgin". In Nepali and some Indian...

 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. The core city of Kathmandu (which was the city built by planners of Gunakamdev, the founder of Kathmandu), has eight Ajima temples strategically situated at the peripheries of the city. These temples of Ajima used to contain army barracks (the Army Headquarter is still situated 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

Matrikas

Matrikas , also called Matara and Matris , are a group of Hindu goddesses who are always depicted together. Since they are usually depicted as a heptad, they are called Saptamatrikas : Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi and Chamunda or Narasimhi...

(eight matriarchs) of Kathmandu are as follows-

• Pasikwa Ajima
• Lunmari Ajima
• Fibwa Ajima
• Nai Ajima
• Kanga Ajima
• Lunti Ajima
• Thanbahi Ajima
• Chandralakhu Ajima