Carvings in historic temples give peek into ancient games

HISTORICAL temples in Gadag are also sources of knowing the traditional games played centuries ago.

- Raghottam Koppar @Gadag

Carvings on the floors of some ancient temples give a peek into games that were played as early as the 8th century.

It is said that these games, including Adu Huli, Pachisi (Pagade), Chowkabara and Aliguli Mane, were played by the masons, devotees and priests during those times.

During the 1980s, some residents and villagers used to play these games at the historic temples but now nobody plays them in temples. But the traditional game patterns can be clearly seen in most of the historical temples in Gadag, Lakkundi, Dambal, Sudi and other temples till today. Tourists take photos of these ancient games when they visit the temples.