She is Lord Jagannath’s only surviving wife in “human” form. With her death, the lord would become a widower. Meet 88-year-old Sashimani Devi, the last devadasi of the Puri Jagannath temple.

Frail and suffering from old-age ailments, Sashimani Devi has almost lost her vision and is hard of hearing. But not a day has gone without her offerings prayers to her husband. She wears bangles and vermilion on her forehead like any other married Hindu woman. She said she got married to Lord Jagannath when she was just seven.

On rath yatra, she seemed extremely upset since she was unable to witness the car festival, held at a distance of just 200 metres from home — the house of her adopted son, Somnath Pujapanda.

“My husband is coming out of the temple to meet his devotees but I, his wife, cannot go and see him,” she said, teary-eyed and her voice choking.

According to traditions, a devadasi’s presence is a must on all special occasions of the temple. Even at night, the devadasi usually sings and dances before Him. With this melodious harmony of song and dance, the Lord goes to sleep. The girl, who prefers to be a devadasi, remains unmarried throughout her life. She assumes the role of the Lord’s wife and dedicates her heart and soul to Him.

“I have closely felt His presence when I am in deep sleep. Our relationship is like that of any other married couple. We both are connected with the thread of eternal love, which is above human relationships. My eyes cannot see Him but I always feel His presence. I don’t wish to live anymore like this,” she said.

With her death, the 1,000-year old rich tradition of Lord Jagannath of having a devadasi in the temple will come to an end forever.

Reminiscing her relationship with the Lord, she said: “When the Lord used to be taken out of the temple for the rath yatra rituals, I would be waiting near His chariot to see Him. When our eyes met, I felt as if He was holding me close to Him.”

Her adopted daughter, Rupashree Mohapatra, a well known Mahari (a form of temple dance) dancer, said she learnt the basics of dance from Sashimani.

“When maa performed, people used to be mesmerised to see her dedication for Lord Jagannath. But in 2008, she fractured her legs after a stray bull hit her. Ever since, she has not been able to go to the temple but continues to pray to Him at home,” she said.

Rupashree said the temple administration and the state government have neglected her. “She receives only Rs 500 from the temple administration. Don’t you think she deserves more than that? When she passes away, the devadasi tradition would be lost forever,” she added.