An Undying Path Of Discovery

The quest for games is never easy. I was in search of finding games etched on the floor.

- Vinita Sidhartha

Sometimes, you are rewarded by discovering many games, and sometimes, with nothing at all. The reasons could be many: the ravages of time; renovations where old stone slabs are either removed or covered over with modern, evenly cut stone, marble, or granite; pitted surfaces, making it difficult for you to see any faint engravings, therefore leaving you with only the option of looking for deep cut, clear game boards. I was once told that games may not be etched on the floors of certain temples because the grids resemble mandalas. To have them beneath the feet could offend sensibilities.

This quest once took me to the city of Hyderabad, where a friend and I decided to spend a day looking for games at old temples. Hyderabad being an ancient city, I was full of hope.