Nagarvadhu

Vasantasenā; by Raja Ravi Varma

Nagarvadhu or Nagar Vadhu (Devanagari: नगरवधू) ("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 queen or Goddess, but she was a courtesan or prostitute; people could watch her dance and sing.[2] A Nagarvadhu's price for a single night's dance was very high, and she was only within the reach of the very rich – the king, the princes, and the lords.

Famous Nagarvadhus

  • Amrapali, state courtesan and Buddhist disciple, described in Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu by Acharya Chatursen
  • Vasantasenā, a character in the classic Sanskrit story of Mricchakatika, written in the 2nd century BC by Shudraka

See also

References

  1. ↑ Spectrum lead article, The Sunday Tribune, 24 Dec 2000
  2. ↑ "~viktor/wisdom/osho/marriage". phys.uni-sofia.bg. Retrieved 2014-02-09.


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