Every nation has its own traditions and same as India has its own. In this list we were talk about the Indian traditional games which comes from different religions and different parts of the country. In the list of traditional games in India, we have listed almost all the games which were enjoyed by out grandfather and their grandfather.
India is a sports country and famous for a various sports & outdoor games. Many athletes from India who brought medals in Olympic in outdoor games. Many types of traditional outdoor games are played in India like lawn tennis, Cricket, Gilli-danda, Pallanguzi, hockey, soccer, etc. In another words, outdoor games are also known as athletic or sporting games which are generally played in open through involves physical activity. Outdoor games are played a main role to stay fit our body. People who works in a company and self-employed cannot always be in a serious mood, sometimes he requires relaxation. So, in this case they need to play outdoor games to recharge the battery for energy. Mostly people enjoys outdoor games rather than indoor games.
Traditional Outdoor Games in India List
Table of Contents
1. Gili-Danda
Gilli Danda is a amateur sport which is played in the small town, villages and rural areas. Mostly Gili-Danda played in India and many other countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Cambodia, Turkey and Italy also. Generally game is played with two wooden sticks which one is long that called as Danda and another is too small, called as Gilli. In this game, Danda used to hit Gilli to making score and game is played in the open field.
Gili-Danda:
2. Pallanguzhi
Pallanguzhi also a traditional game which played in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. It is a traditional ancient Tamil Mancala game which played between two players. The game was born from Tamil Nadu and later it was spread in many other states of the country like Karnataka, Aandhra Pradesh, Kerala, Shri Lanka and Malaysia. Pallanguzhi game also called with a different names in different states like Ali guli mane (Kannada) Vamana guntalu (Telugu) and Kuzhipara (Malayalam).
Pallanguzhi:
3. Pachisi
Pachisi is a cross and circle board game known as the “National Game of India” which is originated in Medieval India. This game played on a symmetrical cross board and also known as Twenty-Five game. A player’s pieces move around the board based upon a throw of six or seven cowrie shells. It is a traditional game that requires strategy, tactics, counting and portability skills. Generally, Pachisi played between 2-4 players which continued around 30–60 minutes.
Pachisi:
4. Chaupar
Chaupar also a cross and circle board game which is similar to pachisi, mostly played in India. As per source, Chaupar was created around 4th Century originated by India that can be play on a table and floor. Chaupar is played between 2-4 players with wooden pawns and six cowry shells to be used to determine each player’s move. The game is requires strategy, tactics, counting and portability skills.
Chaupar:
5. Lambs and Tigers
Lambs and Tigers is a two player leopard game which also known as Goats and Tigers name in Telugu, Aadu Puli Aatam in Tamil, Meka puli aata and Pulijudam. It is a strategy game which setup time is around 1 hour. The game is mostly played in South India in which one player controls three tigers and the other player controls up to fifteen lambs and tigers. In this game, tigers hunt the Goats while goats attempt to block the tiger’s movements. In short, the Lambs and Tigers is a most ancient game.
Lambs and Tigers:
6. Pitthu Garam
Pitthu Garam is a popular outdoor game in India also known as Seven stones game and Lagori. Game played between two teams and any number of members. In this game, one member of team hit on 7 stone pile through a ball and run away while another members tries to restore the pile of stones. Interesting thing is that, if any member touches the ball, he will out immediately.
Pitthu Garam:
7. Kancha-Marble
Kancha-Marble game is one of the popular game among kids which is still played in small town, rural areas of India. This game played with round glass marbles which main motive is collect marbles through shooting and striking other marbles. Kancha-Marble is a traditional outdoor game which is played with anyone. In India, many types of marble games are played.
Kancha-Marble:
8. Kabaddi
Kabaddi is a very famous outdoor sports in India and mostly played in South Asia and many states of India like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Aandhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab and Telangana . Kabaddi also known as Sadukudu, Hadudu, Bhavatik, kauddi, Hu-Tu-Tu, Hu-Do-Do and Chedugudu. This game played between two teams in which 7 members are one team. Kabaddi is a worldwide sport game originated by India. India had won Kabaddi World Cup in 2016 that was an international kabaddi tournament governed by the International Kabaddi Federation.
Kabaddi:
9. Stapoo
Stapoo is a outdoor game which is also called as Hopscotch, Stapu and played in open playground. In this game a player through a small object into the boxes as made on the ground. Thereafter he jump through the boxes on one and two legs to pick the object.
Stapoo:
10. Dog and Bone
Dog and the Bone is a most popular game among the kids which played between two teams in which 5-10 members per side. In this game, a players comes forward to pick object and want to back to his team. If he fails to do like this then he gets out. On the basis of total score winner has announced.
Dog and Bone:
11. Malkhamb
Malkhamb also a ancient traditional outdoor games which is very famed across Maharashtra. This game was started in 12 century. It is an Indian version of Gymnastic in which one player stands up on a wooden pole different positions in without any resources. Usually, three types of version of Malkhamb are practiced on the sheesham pole, cane or a rope.
Malkhamb:
12. Naga Wrestling
NAGA Wrestling is a most popular outdoor sport in Nagaland. It is a traditional sport in which a wrestler tries to grab the waist down. The wrestler who does the most times who selected as winner. Mostly people are don’t know about Naga Wrestling which is most popular among the people of Nagalad.
Naga Wrestling:
13. Jallikattu
Jallikattu is a most dangerous traditional game which was first time played in 400-100 BC. The game originated by Tamilnadu which is played during festival Pongal. Jallikattu is one of the oldest game of Tamilnadu which also called the symbol of pride and culture. In this game, One person fights with the angry bull and makes him quiet.
Jallikattu:
14. Vallam Kali
Vallam Kali is traditional boat game of Kerala which is also known as “Aranmula Nauka Daud”. First time this game was played in 1172 in Kerala. In terms of highlights, this game is an adventure sport in which 4 to 6 members participated in the race. This festival celebrated on the occasions of Onam. As per find information, Viewers of thousands of spectators stand on the banks of the river Pampa to see this Sarpanauka-competition.
Vallam Kali:
15. Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is a combat sport which is also a part of martial art, originated by Kerala. There are a various styles of this game such as Gatka, Huyen Langlon, Mardani Khel, Silambam, Sqay. Kicks and weapons are also used in this game. It is a defense sport which related terms are Related terms Akhara, Hatha yoga, Kshatriya, Nihang Paika akhada, and Varma kalai. Notable Practitioners of Kalaripayattu are Guru Hargobind, Shivaji, Kittur Chennamma, Lakshmibai.
Kalaripayattu:
16. Kambala
Kambala is a traditional game of Karnataka which mostly held in southwestern Indian state. This is a buffaloes race in which a man runs through water, soil etc. Kambala game are organized by Kambala Associations which sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada.
Kambala:
17. Udan Tastri Game
Udan Tastri is a outdoor game which is played in India and many other countries. In this game, a player tries to touch his opponent through Plastic Tastri. If Tastri touches that player, he will out of the game. Mostly this game played in School, Colleges and Parks which is good outdoor sport.
Udan Tastri Game:
18. Poshampa Game
“Poshampa Bhai Poshampa” Game is an Indian Traditional game which is one of the oldest Traditional outdoor game. Manly in this game, kids makes an umbrella through hands and other kids moves under umbrella. There is a song also on this game which lyrics are given below:-
Poshampa Bhai Poshampa Game Lyrics Hindi
पोशम पा भाई पोशम पा डाकूओं ने क्या किया ? सौ रुपये की घड़ी चुराई आठ आने की रबड़ी खाई अब तो जेल में जाना पड़ेगा जेल का खाना खाना पड़ेगा जेल का पानी पीना पड़ेगा अब तो जेल में जाना पड़ेगा
Poshampa Game: