Devadasis’ Daily Rituals in the Jagannatha Temple

Abstract

This article examines the historical and ritual significance of Devadasis (locally known as Maharis) in the Jagannath Temple of Puri, Orissa. Once revered as "walking goddesses" and embodiments of the sacred feminine, these women, traditionally skilled in dance, music, and literature, performed vital daily rituals. The article traces the decline of the institution due to the British colonial anti-nautch movement and subsequent modern interpretations, which reduced their role to mere entertainment or prostitution. It highlights the persistence of the Mahari tradition in Puri until a change in temple administration in 1968 led to its cessation. The author, through ethnographic fieldwork and the translation of a key Shakta Tantric text, provides a unique insight into the two primary daily rituals: the midday "royal" dance (Rajopacara), a powerful public ritual tied to the prosperity of the realm, and the evening Sahajiya Vaishnavite ritual of singing the Gita Govinda, symbolizing the union of Krishna and the gopis. The article emphasizes how these rituals, deeply imbued with both Shakta and Vaishnava Tantric meanings, were crucial for generating bhakti and ensuring the efficacy of temple practices, arguing for a deeper understanding of the Devadasis' multifaceted sacred role beyond simplistic modern categorizations.