How to play Pagade
The “Roll-the-Dice How To” play Pagade, Pachisi, Indian Cross and Circle Board Game, Thayam, Ludo, Chaupar, Aksha Kreeda, Dayakattam, Chokkattan, Parchís
There are many variants of this game played across India. This “How-To” follows a variant played mostly in southern parts of Karnataka.
Pagade Basics
Pagade can be played by 2 – 4 players. Occasionally, two players sitting opposite each other form teams.
The Pagade Board has four arms (marked ⓐ) and one square space in the centre (marked ⓑ) referred to as the “Home”. Each arm has three “Ghattas” – the blocks which are crossed. The path from the “Home” to the end of the arm ⓒ is the home stretch of the player. At the start of the game, the pawns are placed on the two “ghattas” as shown. One in the home stretch and the other, on the right side of the home stretch. For each player, the objective is to roll the “daaLa” (long dice) and move all her pawns to the “home” in the center. The path to be taken is illustrated in this picture ⓓ.