Puri (Reporters Today Bureau): The last surviving Devadasi of Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri,  Parasmani Devi passed away today afternoon. She was 87.

Reportedly Parasmani Devi died due to age-related ailments.

Parasmani Devi, last surviving ‘devadasis’ of the prominent 11th century Jagannath temple of Puri, in Odisha. Regardless of their frailty, advanced age, and ill-health, they never forget to offer prayers to their ‘divine husband’. Sporting bangles and vermilion on their forehead, like traditional Hindu married women.

Earlier, Parasmani Devi was singing songs at the Shree Jagannatha Temple.

As per the tradition, a girl can become a ‘Devadasi’ after attaining puberty, a ‘Devadasi’ at the Shree Jagannatha Temple was singing and dancing before the Lord in the night. It is believed the Lord rests in the midst of the pleasant routine. A ‘Devadasi’ is married to the Lord Jagannatha and she stays unmarried for the rest of her life.

There are two groups of ‘Devadasi’ one group of ‘devadasis’ – Bhitar Gayani sang at the sanctum sanctorum, another group, Bahar Gayani, performed outside the inner temple.

‘Devadasis’ have a special role during the Ratha Jatra, the Nabakalebara, and the Nanda Utsav.