Mahari is a ritualistic dance form from the eastern Indian state of Odisha that used to be performed at the temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri by devadasi dancers called maharis. Following the abolition of the devadasi system, the dance has been discontinued at the Jagannath Temple.
Mahari dance is nearly a millenium old with dance having been an integral part of the daily rituals at the Jagannath temple of Puri since the time of Ganga rulers of Utkal. In the twelfth century, Chodaganga Deva gave the dance a legal status, establishing new localities for the maharis to stay and introduced new ceremonies for the deity.Limb linking service of the Lord Jagannath, who is very much fan of music and song, is the action and pride of ‘Mahari’ tradition. Mahari tradition of the Sri Mandira is the beautiful Parijata flower of art and history of Utkal