Career
According to temple records, she was one of about 25 women assigned to care for Jagannath and was the last among them who was alive. Early At the age of 12, Sashimani was inducted into Devadasi Seva after being ceremonially married to Lord Jagannath at the age of 7 or 8. As a part of her duties, she used to dance before the Lord during Badasimhar Besha and festivals related to the Jagannath temple including Chandan Jatra.
As Sashimani grew old, her services were confined to reciting Geeta govinda.
The Orissa Gazette of 1956 mentions some occasions where the devadasis danced. They had two daily rituals.
The Bahar Gaaunis would dance at the Sakaala Dhupa. Lord Jagannath, after breakfast, would give Darshan to the bhaktas (the devotees).
In the Main hall, a devadasi accompanied by musicians and the Rajguru, the court guru, would dance, standing near the Garuda sthambha (pillar).This dance could be watched by the audience.
They would perform only pure dance here. The Bhitar Gaunis would sing at the Badashringhar, the main ceremony for ornamenting and dressing the God. Lord Jagannath, at bedtime, would be first served by male Sebaetsthey would fan Him and decorate Him with flowers.