CONDITION USED GOOD, WIVES OF THE GOD-KING , THE RITUALS OF THE DEVADASIS OF PURI, HARDCOVER, 1985

Wives of the God-King: The Rituals of the Devadasis of Puri explores the unique and complex lives of the devadasis—women dedicated to the deity Jagannatha at the famous Puri temple. While they are revered as sacred servants symbolizing purity and devotion, their role is also linked with sexuality, concubinage, and social stigma. Through these contradictions, the book examines deeper themes of religious authority, kingship, gender roles, and cultural perceptions of purity and impurity in Hindu tradition. It offers a compelling look into how these women embody both divine service and contested social identities within the religious practices of Puri.