#FreeTNTemples Movement Ventures into Gaming with the Kari Mobile Game

Imagine blazing a trail on the path to restoring ravaged shrines by finding and putting together lost relics that once housed them! This is the mission entrusted to Kari—the protagonist of the game Kari and the Lost Shrines. The game is the latest offering from Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation, and is designed both for Android and iOS platforms. It is trending at No.1 in the category Adventure on Google Play Store with a rating that almost touches 5. Downloaded more than 20K times within the first three days since its launch, it has been invited by the Game Development World Championship as an entry into their annual competition.

Named after the 47th Nayanar saint, Kari is the embodiment of a warrior-protector. He sprints through serpentine green walks across deep unfamiliar forests and cascades through verdant veils to uncover long lost relics from ancient shrines. Relic-by-recovered-relic, he puts the shrines back together in a marvellous feat of restoration. All with the yogic agility of a Shiva-bhakt powered by the constant intonation of an exuberant chant ‘Shiva’! He nimbly navigates the realms in the game through the vibhuti shrine teleporter. The player of the game gets to be Kari in flesh and bones

What is not lost on the player is that the eagerness of the original Kari is personified in the character. The saint was a famed poet who donated all his earnings to the service of Shiva and his devotees. He built temples which were spiritual and architectural marvels.

The game has been designed by volunteers at Isha Yoga Centre in support of the extensive #FreeTNTemples campaign launched by Sadhguru to release the temples of Tamil Nadu from government control. In Sadhguru’s words, “Kari beautifully captures the emotions of a true devotee for our lost temples.”

A diverse pack, the game design teammates come from various professions. It seems poetic and symbolic that the teammates fit together like pieces of a jigsaw, much like the shrines in the game come alive when you put together the appropriate relics.

It is striking that most of the team is enrolled in Sadhanapada, a 7-month residential programme offered by Isha to those looking for balance and clarity, emotional stability, seeking spiritual growth, or to live an intense and energetic life. The programme requires enrollees to be intensely involved in a myriad of intense activities.

With its vibrant visuals, rewards and a navigation panel that is the perfect balance between smooth and challenging, Kari and the Lost Shrines will grip players as young as 12 up to enthusiasts in their mid 20s. “This is the first of its kind game revolving around the theme of ancient Indian temple culture,” says Yogesh. And indeed, the video trailer of the game showcasing its visuals and sound received 100K views within the first few hours of launch.

With its vibrant visuals, rewards and a navigation panel that is the perfect balance between smooth and challenging, Kari and the Lost Shrines will grip players as young as 12 up to enthusiasts in their mid 20s. “This is the first of its kind game revolving around the theme of ancient Indian temple culture,” says Yogesh. And indeed, the video trailer of the game showcasing its visuals and sound received 100K views within the first few hours of launch.

The game is available on iTunes as well as on the Google Play Store and can be a fun adventure to indulge in for players who are looking for new themes and concepts. The promo of the game looks promising and can be refreshing for players who are interested in the history of it.