Parasmani Debi

🪔 About

Parasmani Debi, also known as Parasmani Devi, was the last devadasi or mahari of the revered Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, and was considered a "human consort" of Lord Jagannath. Born in British India, she came from a poor family and was initiated into service at the temple at a young age. She was adopted by devadasi Kundamani Devi, who became her first teacher, instructing her in Odissi dance and accordion from the age of seven. Parasmani Debi further honed her musical skills, studying Odissi music with the renowned musician and singer Singhari Shyamsundar Kar. Her artistic career began as a devadasi, specifically a "bhitar gayani devadasi," whose sacred duty was to sing devotional songs, including Geeta Govinda, before the idols late into the night to lull the deities to sleep. She also participated in sacrificial ceremonies at the temple. With her melodious voice and exceptional talent, she expanded her reach into the world of Indian radio, becoming known for her renditions of Odissi songs and bhajans. Parasmani Debi dedicated over eight decades of her life to the service of Lord Jagannath. However, due to advanced age and health reasons, she was compelled to discontinue her temple service in 2010. In her later years, she lived in poverty in a rented house in the Basli Sahi district of Puri. She remained unmarried and devout throughout her life, choosing not to adopt girls to spare them the potential hardships associated with the devadasi tradition. Parasmani Debi passed away in her sleep on July 10, 2021, at the age of 90 or 92, marking the end of the centuries-old devadasi tradition at the Jagannath Temple.