Sex workers dance around burning pyres, uphold 5-century-old tradition in Varanasi | Varanasi News – Times of India

VARANASI: Maintaining the age-old tradition, a group of ‘Nagar Vadhus’ (sex workers) danced around the burning pyres at the Manikarnika Ghat of Varanasi on Tuesday night, reports Binay Singh. As per the tradition, these women used to perform before the Mahasmashan Nath (God of the cremation site) on the seventh night of the Chaitra Navratri — which is also the concluding day of the threeday ‘Shringar Mahotsava’ of Baba Mahashmashan Nath. Before the performance, the women offered prayers at the temple of Mahashamshan Nath at the ghat — wishing to get salvation hoping for a better next life.
The ‘Shringar Mahotsava’ started on the 5th day of Chaitra Navratri on March 26. A large number of people gathered at the ghat to watch the event, undeterred by the smoke of the pyres and crackling sounds of burning wood and bodies.

Event organiser Gulshan Kapoor said that as per the tradition, sex workers offer prayers to the deity on the seventh night of Chaitra Navratri, every year. After offering prayers, they dance and sing on a makeshift stage amid burning pyres.
He said the tradition has been continuing for the past five centuries after the Mahashamshan Nath temple at Manikarnika Ghat was renovated by Raja Sawai Man Singh of Amber, who had also built Man Mandir Ghat near Dashashwamedh Ghat in 1585.

It is a common tradition to hold music programmes on the inaugural day on any special occasions, he said adding as the nagar vadhus offered their services on the inauguration of the temple, the tradition has been followed since then. It is said that when this temple was renovated by the king, no artist was ready to come to the temple to perform at the inaugural function. This made the king sad.
As the message spread throughout the city and reached the ‘nagar vadus’ of Kashi they sent their message to the king agreeing to perform if they get this opportunity.
The king was very happy after receiving this message and the ‘nagar vadhus’ were invited for performance. Since then the tradition started and still continues.