🃏 Ganjifa – India’s Traditional Card Game

📖 Origin & History

Ganjifa is a traditional Indian card game, believed to have been introduced during the Mughal era and later adapted in various regions of India such as Odisha, Mysore, Sawantwadi, and Rajasthan. The cards are hand-painted and circular, often depicting mythological themes like the Dashavatara (10 incarnations of Vishnu). Once popular in royal courts, today it survives as a cherished part of India’s artistic and gaming heritage.

💡 Did You Know?

🃏 Ganjifa cards are traditionally circular, unlike rectangular Western playing cards.

🎨 The cards are hand-painted using natural dyes, making each deck unique.

🙏 Themes often revolve around Hindu mythology, especially Dashavatara.

🏰 Ganjifa was played in royal courts, especially during the Mughal and Maratha periods.

🌟 Regional Variations

Different regions of India developed their own Ganjifa traditions:

Sawantwadi (Maharashtra): Famous for colorful wooden Ganjifa cards.
Odisha: Dashavatara Ganjifa remains a living tradition in Puri.
Mysore: Royal patronage led to beautifully illustrated Ganjifa sets.

🃏 Ganjifa – India’s Traditional Card Game

📖 Origin & History

💡 Did You Know?

🌟 Regional Variations

🎯 Quick Quiz

What shape are traditional Ganjifa cards?