PURI: Sashimani Devi, the last surviving Devadasi of Jagannath temple in Puri, passed away at her residence in Dolamandap Sahi here on Thursday. She was 92 and was ailing for the last eight years due to old age related health problems.
With her death, the traditional Devadasi Seva in the 12th century Jagannath temple has come to an end.
At the age of 12, Sashimani was inducted into Devadasi Seva after being ceremonially married to Lord Jagannath. As a part of her duties, she used to dance before the Lord during Badasimhar Besha and festivals related to the Jagannath temple including Chandan Jatra. As Sashimani grew old, her services were confined to reciting Geeta Gobinda.
PRO of the temple Laxmidhar Pujapanda said the temple paid Sashimani for her services and was also bearing Sashimani’s medical expenses, besides providing her old age pension.
Her mortal remains were consigned to flames at Swargadwara and as per the temple tradition, servitors brought the holy fire from the temple to ignite Sashimani’s funeral pyre. Temple Chief Administrator SC Mahapatra condoled the demise of Sashimani.
Samanta Condoles: Educationist Achyuta Samanta has expressed condolence over the demise of Sashimani Devi. In a release, he stated that a great tradition of Jagannath culture ended with Sashimani’s death. “I feel blessed that in the last stage of her life, Sashimani Devi acknowledged my humble services to her through media,” Samanta added.
