Top 15+ India’s Red Light Areas: Find one near your location

There are a number of red light areas in India where prostitution is a long-standing practice. Although sex workers and their lives are taboo in certain countries, they are an integral part of urban life there, and learning about them may shed light on a range of societal concerns. Despite the polarization around these topics, interest in learning more about them remains high.

Our story goes into detail about the 15+ biggest red light districts in India, shedding light on a part of the country that is usually kept secret. We look into the stories and settings of many lesser-known places across the country, from the famous Sonagachi in Kolkata, which has a long history that goes back to the time when Britain ruled in India. Hopefully, this will shed light on the experiences of the sex workers and their neighborhoods and bring more attention to the complicated problems that surround them.

Here’s The List Of Famous Red Light Areas Across India

Sr. No.	Red Light Areas Name	City
1.	Sonagachi	Kolkata
2.	Kamathipura	Mumbai
3.	G.B. Road	Delhi
4.	Majestic	Bangalore
5.	Budhwar Peth	Pune
6.	Shivdaspur	Varanasi
7.	Paharganj	Delhi
8.	Meerganj	Allahabad
9.	Falkland Road	Mumbai
10.	Itwari	Nagpur
11.	Kabristan	Bhopal
12.	Ganga Jamuna	Nagpur
13.	Mastipur	Guwahati
14.	Majura Gate	Surat
15.	Kalighat	Kolkata
16.	Shivdaspur	Allahabad
17.	Reshampura	Gwalior
18.	Sukumvit	Kochi

Find out the top 15+ biggest red-light areas in India to see a side of the country that isn’t always seen.

1. Kolkata’s Sonagachi

The Sonagachi in Kolkata is home to Asia’s biggest red-light area. Thousands of sex workers live in a tangled web of little lanes and overcrowded apartments. Sonagachi is home to a distinct population with its own culture, despite the town’s fame.

Sonagachi in Kolkata: Asia’s largest red-light district with over 11,000 sex workers

2. Mumbai’s Kamathipura

Kamathipura in Mumbai, one of the most famous red-light districts in India, has a rich history that begins with the British colonial period. Even more people started flocking to the region once the Gangubai movie came out. With pulsating energy and a blend of modern and historic structures, it is renowned as one of Asia’s biggest and oldest red-light districts.

3. G.B. Road, Delhi

G.B. Road, or Garstin Bastion Road, is a notoriously seedy area in Delhi. Renowned for its brothels and illicit activities, it is one of the biggest and most notorious red-light districts in the nation. Many YouTubers now go to G.B. Road to document the lives of sex workers.

4. Majestic in Bangalore

Though the Majestic red-light area in Bangalore has a reputation for being a hub for sex workers, it serves a far broader purpose. Despite its prime downtown location, few are aware of the cultural and historical importance of this building. This essay will go into the cultural importance and interesting history of the Majestic Red Light District.

Right in the middle of town sits this famous red-light district. The activity has diminished as a result of the recent crackdowns by the authorities. At one time, this area was home to thousands of sex workers and more than 500 brothels.

5. Budhwar Peth, Pune

Budhwar Peth in Pune has historical significance intertwined with its status as a red-light area in Pune. Over the years, several organizations have worked towards empowering and rehabilitating sex workers in the region, focusing on skill development and providing alternative livelihood options.

6. Varanasi, Shivdaspur

Shivdaspur is a long-running red-light district close to the sacred city of Varanasi. Its sex industry is commonplace, and the city is famous for its cramped streets and buildings.

7. Allahabad’s Meerganj

India also has another famous red-light district, Meerganj, which is located in Allahabad. Sex workers and brothels abound in this area, which is close to the city’s train station.

8. Baina, Goa

Goa, a coastal state, is home to the red-light district known as Baina. Despite its reputation for stunning natural scenery and exciting nightlife, the city’s sex trade has a dark side.

9. Falkland Road, Mumbai

One other Mumbai red-light district that has been around for a long time is Falkland Road. It has a reputation for having a lively nightlife and plenty of brothels and sex workers.

10. Itwari, Nagpur

The red-light district of Itwari in Nagpur, Maharashtra, has been through a lot because of the social and legal ramifications it has. Many groups are working to ensure that sex workers have access to healthcare, education, and opportunities to improve their skills so that they may successfully reintegrate into society.

11. Bhopal, Kabristan

The Bhopal red-light district, known as Kabristan, has been there for quite some time. The city’s reputation rests on the abundance of brothels and sex workers.

12. Nagpur, Ganga Jamuna

The Nagpur red-light district, known as Ganga Jamuna, has been there for quite some time. The city’s reputation rests on the abundance of brothels and sex workers.

13. Guwahati’s Mastipur

There has been a red-light district in Guwahati called Mastipur for many years. The city’s reputation rests on the abundance of brothels and sex workers.

14. Majura Gate, Surat

Red light district Majura Gate, in the middle of Surat, is popular with both residents and visitors. There are a variety of adult entertainment options, such as nightclubs, pubs, and boutiques. The lively vibe and diverse array of restaurants near Majura Gate make it a popular destination.

There has been a red-light district in Surat called Chakla for many years. The city’s reputation rests on the abundance of brothels and sex workers.

15. Kalighat, Kolkata

Kalighat red light area in Kolkata is one of the oldest and most well-known red light districts in India. Located near the famous Kalighat Temple, this area is known for its thriving sex trade industry.

The area is known for its grim and dangerous atmosphere, with high rates of crime and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Despite efforts by the government and NGOs to combat the issue, the sex trade in Kalighat remains a persistent and troubling problem.

16. Allahabad, Shivdaspur

There has been a red-light district in Allahabad called Shivdaspur for many years. The city’s reputation rests on the abundance of brothels and sex workers.

17. Gwalior, Reshampura

The red-light district of Reshampura in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, is notorious for the persistence of sex industry in the region. Several organizations that collaborate with the local government to offer support services, vocational training, and awareness campaigns prioritize the welfare and empowerment of sex workers.

18. Kochi, Sukumvit

 

The sex workers of Kochi, Kerala, may be found in the neighborhood of Sukumvit. Efforts at the local level acknowledge the complexity of the problem and aim to raise awareness about the need of safe procedures, counseling, and rehabilitation for sex workers.

 

Although these nightclubs are famous for their sex trade, they also show the difficulties that sex workers in India encounter. Sex workers encounter societal stigma and a lack of basic utilities in many of these places, which makes it hard for them to receive healthcare and other necessary services.

We can learn more about the thorny problems with sex work in India and the importance of sex workers’ access to extensive support networks if we investigate these problem areas.