DeviDasi? Who are these people? What are their general views?

Question

I hear of women with the last name of Devi Dasi, in the united states. Who are they, what is this a part of? Is this a cult? What are their views toward Jews and Christians?

Answer 1

In some parts of India a few centuries ago a practice developed under which a few women were made wives of god and named as Devadasis, Jogins, Basavis, Kalawants, Paravatis or Mathammas. These wives of God lived in or around the temples. They performed some duties at the temples and participated in the religious functions. They were an integral part of many large Hindu temples. In addition to their religious duties, the Devadasis were a community of artists. They presented dance and music performances at the temple as well as at private functions. It was customary for the elite to invite devadasis at marriages and family functions. The devadasis developed and preserved the classical dances of India. Bharatnatyam is a modern incarnation of the sadir dance performed by devadasis of Tamil Nadu. This practive of davedasi has been abolished now, as these women are exploited by Rich for illicit useage.

Now a days Devi or Dasi is used in US and other countires by the women followers of Iskcon/Krishna. These women adopt an Indian name followed by devi or dasi and there are the workers for krishna. This is just line male followers using Das or Ananda with their newly adoped names. These people are mostly westerners coming into the fold of Iskcon and they do not have any particular view about Jews or Christians. -

Answer 2

Devi Dasi mean the servant of the Goddess (Devi) in Hinduism. It could be a name too. A lot of women Hare Krishna devotees has "Dasi" in their spiritual name.

Answer 3

Only thing I could find was:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urmila_Devi_Dasi