Anthi ChandaIndia's Traditional 5×5 Board Game
Known as Ashta Chamma in Telugu-speaking states, and loved across India under many regional names, this classic strategy race game was traditionally played with tamarind seeds and cowrie shells. Now it lives on your phone, free forever.
Game Modes
Quick Match
Global matchmaking pairs you with a live opponent in seconds.
Play with Friends
Create a private room and share the code: your table, your rules.
Team Battle 2v2
Partner up. Bring all your team's tokens home together to win.
Offline Pass & Play
One phone, whole family. No internet needed.
Leaderboards, Rewards, Themes & More
Climb the global leaderboard, collect daily login rewards and lucky spins, and dress your board in themes like Diwali Night and Mughal Garden.
How to Play Anthi Chanda (Ashta Chamma)
- Each player starts with tokens in their corner of the 5×5 board.
- Throw the cowries (in-app dice) to move: special throws grant an extra turn.
- Race your tokens along the track toward the centre home square.
- Land on an opponent's token to cut it and send it back to its start.
- Marked safe squares protect tokens from being cut.
- First to bring all tokens home wins: in 2v2, your team wins together.
One Game, Many Names
This beloved game family is played across India under different regional names. Whatever you grew up calling it, the joy is the same, and Anthi Chanda brings it to your phone.
- Anthi Chandathe name we grew up with
- Ashta ChammaTelugu-speaking states
- Chowka BharaKarnataka
- Played with imli (tamarind) seeds & cowrie shellsthe traditional way
Missing your region's name? Tell us and we'd love to add it.
Ready to Roll the Cowries?
Download Anthi Chanda free and challenge your friends tonight, online or on one phone.
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