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.