The Indian Navy’s traditionally crafted wooden sailing ship INSV Kaundinya has successfully completed a 17-day maritime journey from India to Oman, arriving in Muscat on Wednesday to a ceremonial water salute. This remarkable vessel, constructed entirely without engines or metal fastenings, embarked from Porbandar on India’s western coastline on December 29th, retracing ancient trade routes that once connected Indian civilization with global trading partners.
Built using historical shipbuilding techniques that predate modern naval engineering, INSV Kaundinya represents a significant archaeological reconstruction. The vessel’s construction involved stitching wooden planks together with coir rope derived from coconut fiber, sealed with natural resin instead of modern adhesives. Propelled solely by square sails harnessing favorable winds, the ship embodies maritime traditions that were once commonplace throughout the Indian Ocean region.
The vessel’s design inspiration originates from a 5th-century painting within the Ajanta caves of western India, considered among the few surviving visual records of early Indian seafaring technology. With no existing blueprints from that historical period, naval architects relied extensively on iconographic evidence and historical documentation to recreate the ship’s authentic form.
Notable cultural elements adorn the vessel, including sails displaying Gandabherunda motifs (a mythical two-headed bird representing Lord Vishnu) and solar symbols. The bow features a sculpted Simha Yali—a mythical creature from South Indian lore—while the deck showcases a symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor, each element carefully selected to evoke India’s rich maritime heritage.
Construction of INSV Kaundinya commenced in September 2023, culminating in its launch in Goa in February 2025. Among the crew members was Sanjeev Sanyal, an economic advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who documented the voyage through regular social media updates. Commander Hemant Kumar, the officer-in-charge, described the journey as both “exhilarating” and “adventurous,” noting challenges including extreme heat without air conditioning, basic sleeping arrangements, and periods of seasickness. The return schedule to India remains undetermined at this time.