Top Red Light areas in India

Do you know where the largest red-light area in Asia is? Who are the top three red-light areas in India? Is it legal? And how many prostitutes are working there? You will learn everything about the red light area, but first, we will share some intriguing information that you may want to know.

Of course, many young and old men go to red-light districts to fulfil their sexual desires. The girls in these areas come from different cities and countries. You can engage in sexual relations with girls and women of all ages there in exchange for money. There are many brothels around the world where girls of different ethnicities work as prostitutes and earn their living this way. While many brothels operate illegally, the government identifies some as entirely legal.

Some brothels operate lawfully in India, although many other nations outright prohibit them. The Indian Act of 1956 prohibits the operation of brothels in public places like schools, colleges, hospitals, and other comparable locations.

The largest red-light area in Asia

India is a country where brothels have been operating for centuries. Here, everyone from emperors to ordinary citizens enjoyed their services. In different parts of India, some brothels are still operating openly, such as Sonagachi in Kolkata, Kamathipura in Mumbai, and G.B. One of the most well-known brothels is located on G.B. Road (Garstin Bastion Road) in New Delhi. Sonagachi in Kolkata is Asia's largest red-light district, home to over 16,000 sex workers. It is also one of Asia's oldest brothels. These brothels sometimes force new girls into prostitution through illegal means, a practice strictly prohibited. Whenever the police receive information about such activities, they conduct raids and arrest the culprits.

The top three red-light areas in India

1- Sonagachi in Kolkata: Sonagachi is the largest red-light district in Asia and the world. Here you can find a new prostitute every single day. In 2005, Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman won the Academy Award for Best Documentary for their film, Born into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids.

2- Kamathipura in Mumbai: Previously, many sex workers lived in Kamathipura, but their numbers have decreased due to the Maharashtra government's redevelopment plan for the area.  Police action in 2025 shut down several brothels in Kamathipura, but sex workers continue to operate discreetly. These days, one can only find sex workers in a select few lanes.

3- G.B. Road in New Delhi: The largest and most famous red-light district in North India is GB Road, which is located in New Delhi. During the Mughal era, there were five separate brothels, but during British rule, these five were combined into one. According to some surveys, approximately 1,000 sex workers live there.