A cross-shaped race game from Andhra Pradesh, played with cowrie shells instead of dice. Toss the cowries and spiral all four coins home to the centre.
Rules
Toss the cowries — a throw of 1, 4, or 8 (all shells face-down) brings a coin out of base.
Move a coin forward exactly the number thrown.
Land on an AI coin off a ★ square to send it back to base.
A throw of 4 or 8 is a “grace” throw and earns a bonus turn — get all four coins home to win.
Tips
0 face-up cowries = 8 (the "Ashta"), and both 4 and 8 are grace throws that grant a bonus turn. Park coins on ★ squares to stay safe, and remember you need an exact throw to reach the centre.