Apsaras (Sanskrit: अप्सरस्, IAST: Apsaras, Pali: अच्छरा, romanized: Accharā Khmer-Cambodia: អប្សរា) are a class of celestial beings in Hindu and Buddhist culture. They were originally a type of female spirit associated with clouds and water, but, later came to play the role of a "nymph" or "fairy". They figure prominently in the sculpture, dance, literature and paintings of many Indian and Southeast Asian cultures.
The apsaras are described as being beautiful, youthful and elegant, and are said to be able to change their shape at will; making anyone fall for their beauty. There are two types of apsaras—laukika (worldly) and daivika (divine). They are said to excel at dancing, and are often considered the wives of the gandharvas, the court musicians of Indra. The apsaras reside in the palaces of the gods and entertain them by dancing to the music of the Gandharvas. The 26 apsaras of Indra's court are each said to symbolise a different facet of the performing arts, drawing comparisons to the Muses of ancient Greece. They are also renowned for seducing rishis in order to prevent them from attaining divine powers. Famous apsaras include Urvashi, Menaka, Rambha, Tilottama and Ghritachi.
