devadasi means a female servant of god.
trained in dance, literature, music and the playing of musical intruments, Devadasis were dedicated to temples for entertaining the Lord.
They were highly respected for having the unique privilege of being in close proximity to the Lord and known as celestial singers and attendants to the Lord.
Owing to their own exalted status and role in society, Devadasis became a community. Members from most castes and communities, including orphans could become apart of the Devadasi community. Dance as an art form was performed and celebrated. The Agamas, sacred texts that established rules for worship in temples, ask for female dancers to serve in temples, especially those dedicated to Shiva.
In the 9th to 12th century AD the Devadasi system was at its height. Devadasis were dedicated to the massive temples built during this time around which their lives revolved, cleaning the temples, dressing the deities singing devotional songs and perfomring sacred acts of worship. The art of dance was meant for entertaining the Gods and took place in front of the image of the Lord. The Devadasis were often large-hearted and charitable and saved people, even their own Kings, from humiliation, donating land and giving away gold ornaments as acts of worship.The generosity of the Devadasis was matched by that of their patrons - kings and lords who endowed temples handsomely. Although much of the history surrounding the Devadasis seems to be maligned and full of misconceptions, we choose to honor and celebrate these sacred practices in our lives as worshippers of the Lord through song, dance, literature and by keeping the sacred flame of the Lord's temples burning.

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