Gyan Chaupar Board

Gyan chaupar is a board game originating from ancient India, that was popularly played not only for entertainment but also because it provided lessons in morality. The game was also known as moksha pata and parama padam and is today commonly known as Snakes and Ladders. Gyan chaupar boards can be classified as Jain or Hindu based on the iconography employed in their design and the moral philosophy espoused in their gameplay. This is a Hindu version, which typically begins in the nether world and progresses to the heavenly abode (Vaikuntha), which is attained when the player reaches the crescent moon shape at the top. The imagery of this board is typical of Vaishnava gyan chaupar boards from North India.