On March 15 Sashimani Devi, the last surviving Devdasi of the Lord Jagannath temple in Puri had drawn an elaborate plan for the Nabakalebara. The grand festival of changing the body of Lord Jagannath, every 19 years. But Sashimani Devi, the wooden deity’s human wife, will not be there to perform the rituals this July.
Sashimani Devi, the last flag bearer of a 800 year old Devdasi tradition, passed away on March 19. She was 92. Sashimani was inducted into the Devdasi tradition at the age of seven and was witness to four Nabakalebara festivals. But this time, it seems Sashimani Devi had a premonition.
Just four days before her death we had drawn an elaborate plan for Nabakalebara rituals. But, perhaps, she knew it in advance. She told me that she won’t be there to witness this Nabakalebara.
Rupashree Mohapatra, Sashimani’s foster daughter
A typical day in Sashimani’s life would begin with Lord Jagannath’s morning rituals. She would sing at the Jagamohan (porch) of the temple as priests changed the Lord’s attire. During the Badasinghar (the night rituals) Sashimani was assigned to sing the Geetagovinda near the sanctum. Legend goes that Lord Jagannath couldn’t sleep without a Devdasi singing and dancing for him.
Apart from the daily rituals Sashimani enjoyed a status on par with the divine consort of Lord Jagannath Mahalakshmi.
During Neeladri Bije ritual when Lord Jagannath returned to the temple after 9 days (following the famous car festival) the “annoyed” Lakshmi, represented by Sashimani, would block his entry .
During the 16 day puja leading to Dussehra, Sashimani was entitled to dance at the temple of Vimala, Jagannath’s tantrik wife responsible for the temple kitchen.
Lord Jagannath may have had two other wives, but non one recalls Sashimani complaining . She would always boast about her marriage to her divine lover.
Sashimani, is now being hailed as the last custodian of a rich tradition after her death. But was she given her due during her lifetime?
“Socially the Mahari dancers were not given their due. Till the 1960s they were not being regarded at par with other dancers. After the Odissi gurus admitted that we borrowed most of our traditions from the Mahari dance form, the Devdasis, the original custodians of the Mahari dance were recognized.” Kedar Mishra, Senior journalist and Dance critic
Sashimani, with the signature dot of vermillion on her forehead and lush red bangles won’t be there anymore to enchant her husband, but her legacy will live on long after her.
“Legally the Devdasi tradition can’t be revived. With the death of Sashimani Devi the Devdasi tradition comes to end. But she will be recalled as long as the Mahari dance form is there.” says Mr Mishra.
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