Nagarvadhu
Nagarvadhu or Nagar Vadhu ("bride of the city") was a tradition followed in some parts of ancient India.
Women competed to win the title of a Nagarvadhu, and it was not considered a taboo.[1] The most beautiful woman was chosen as the Nagarvadhu.
A Nagarvadhu was respected like a goddess, but in fact she was a courtesan; people could see her dance and sing.[2] A Nagarvadhu's price for a single night dance used to be very high, and she was only within the reach of the very rich – the king, the princes, the lords.
Famous Nagarvadhus
- Ambapali, state courtesan and Buddhist disciple, described in Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu by Acharya Chatursen
- Vasantasena, a character in the classic Sanskrit story of Mricchakatika, written in 2nd century BC by Sudraka
See also
References
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