File:Harati Mata Temple Swayambhu Swayambhu Kathmandu Nepal Rajesh Dhungana (14).jpg

English: Temple of the famous Haratimata located in Ward No. 15 of Kathmandu District. Adjacent to the western side is the ancient Swayambhu Stupa, a World Heritage Site. This very beautiful and attractive pagoda-style temple has sculptures and arts according to Buddhist traditions.

It is mentioned that the Licchavi king Brishamdev, when he made the Swayambhu Linga Chaityakara, erected a very attractive statue of Ajima. According to legend, this Haratimata was a Yakshini. This mother used to take away children and play with them. Thus, after many children, children began to disappear, one day Lord Gautama went to call upon the Buddha. And somehow, Gautama Buddha gave away the child that Mother Azima loved so much. Then Azima was sad and did not go to Buddha. At that time Gautama Buddha said that Azima reminded the Buddha that if you feel so sad when you lose a child, how much it must have hurt the parents or mothers who lost their children, only after Azima accepted his mistake and started protecting the children from then on. All the children were entrusted to their mothers and fathers. After that, all mothers and fathers started worshiping Harati Mata happily.

With this belief, if their boys and girls fall ill, they pray to this mother to heal the disease. Devotees offer eggs, alcohol, prasad and incense to please this mother. There is also a popular belief that smallpox can be cured by worshiping this mother. This mother is also called Azima. Azima in Newari language means grandmother. It is forbidden to take pictures inside this very beautiful and attractive temple.