Antique Marble Moksha Patam Board – Snakes & Ladders Spiritual Game | Circa Late 1800s | Hand-Carved Indian Gyan Chaupar with Devanagari Numerals & Sacred Motifs

This extraordinary marble Moksha Patam board, dating back to the late 19th century, is far more than a game—it is a spiritual journey carved in stone. Known today as Snakes and Ladders, Moksha Patam or Gyan Chaupar was originally conceived not for recreation, but for self-inquiry and spiritual reflection. With its origins rooted in 13th-century India, this antique board is a rare surviving example of the game in its original philosophical form, hand-crafted in an unusually durable and luxurious medium—solid marble.

The Game of Life and Liberation

Invented by the poet-saint Gyandev, the game was a moral metaphor for the soul’s journey toward Moksha (liberation). Each snake represented a vice—lust, anger, greed—dragging the soul downward. Each ladder, a virtue—truth, compassion, devotion—elevating the spirit closer to enlightenment.

This particular board features:

• 12 intricately carved ladders and 11 snakes, the longest of which descends from square 99 (lust) to 10—symbolising the dramatic fall of spiritual failure.

• Devanagari numerals across the 100-square grid—each number traditionally aligned with divine names or cosmic meanings.

• Exquisite spiritual icons, including:

  • A Veena for Saraswati (knowledge)

  • A Damru for Shiva (destruction & rhythm of the cosmos)

  • A Bow & Arrow for Lord Rama (dharma)

  • A Bansuri for Krishna (divine play)

  • A fish symbol for the Matsya avatar of Vishnu

  • Bel Patra leaves, sacred to the holy Hindu trinity

Unlike typical versions found on cloth or paper, this board is carved entirely in marble, with richly coloured inlays and time-softened pigments. The textured surface and relief-carved motifs add sculptural dimension—inviting not just gameplay, but contemplation.

A Convergence of Cultures and Faiths

Though often linked to Hindu and Jain traditions, the game's symbolic system resonates across Buddhist and Muslim Sufi cosmologies as well. In many variants, the 100th square signifies ultimate liberation or divine presence—while the 101st, in some Islamic interpretations, represents the Throne of Allah.

Jain versions emphasise laddered spiritual ascent—mirroring doctrines of karmic cycles and soul purification. The universality of the game's spiritual purpose transcends religion: it is a map of the soul’s journey through temptation, virtue, failure, and hope.

Why This Piece Is Extraordinary:

• Collector’s-Grade Rarity: Most surviving Moksha Patam boards are cloth or paper-based. A carved marble example is exceedingly rare.

• Museum-Worthy Heritage: This is not merely decorative—it is a living artefact of moral philosophy and visual storytelling.

• Decorative & Didactic: Whether as wall-mounted art, tabletop décor, or educational tool, the board continues to engage and enlighten.

• Handcrafted Legacy: Every tile, symbol, and figure bears the mark of a skilled artisan’s hand—preserved for over a century.

Product Details:

• Material: Hand-carved marble, natural pigment accents

• Design: Traditional Moksha Patam with 100 squares, snakes, ladders, and sacred symbols

• Dimensions: 80 cm x 80 cm

• Era: Late 1800s

• Condition: Excellent antique condition with age-appropriate patina

Care & Display:

• Display as a wall panel or flat on a tabletop

• Handle with care; heavy and delicate

• Clean with dry cloth; avoid chemical cleaners

Please contact us for more details.