Shringar Mahotsav ends with dance & music by ‘nagar vadhus’

Varanasi: Captivating music and dance performances by ‘nagar vadhus' (sex workers) amid the burning pyres at Manikarnika Ghat marked the culmination of the three-day Shringar Mahotsav at Baba Mahashmasan Nath on Wednesday night.After a grand aarti, the courtesans dedicated their traditional offerings to Baba through singing and dance. According to organisers, this tradition has been continuing for hundreds of years. It is said that when Raja Mansingh got this temple of Baba renovated, no artist was willing to come to perform music at the temple. When no one was ready to fulfil this task, Raja Mansingh was deeply saddened. This message gradually spread throughout the city and also reached the Nagar Vadhus of Kashi. They then hesitantly sent their message to Raja Mansingh that if they were given this opportunity, all the Nagar Vadhus of Kashi could present their performance at the temple. Upon receiving this message, Raja Mansingh was very pleased, and the Nagar Vadhus were respectfully invited. Since then, this tradition has continued. Today, this tradition is alive, and without being invited, these Nagar Vadhus come on their own to Manikarnika Ghat on the Saptami of Chaitra Navratri.