Nagarvadhu

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

  1. ^ Spectrum lead article, The Sunday Tribune, Dec 24, 2000
  2. ^ http://www.phys.uni-sofia.bg/~viktor/wisdom/osho/marriage.html



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