02 March,2026 12:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The design of the vessel was conceptualised from a 5th-century CE depiction found in the Ajanta Caves. PIC VIA VINOD KUMAR MENON
The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya will be ceremonially flagged into Mumbai Harbour on Monday by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, marking the successful completion of her maiden overseas voyage to the Sultanate of Oman, an official statement issued by the Defence PRO said.
The flag-in ceremony will commemorate the vessel's return across the Arabian Sea, reaffirming India's enduring maritime heritage and centuries-old India-Oman ties across the Indian Ocean, it said.
A unique symbol of India's ancient shipbuilding traditions, INSV Kaundinya is a traditionally constructed stitched ship, built entirely using age-old techniques in which wooden planks are hand-stitched with coir rope and sealed with natural resins. The vessel represents a revival of India's historic maritime craftsmanship and reflects efforts to preserve and rediscover Indic knowledge systems.
The design of the vessel was conceptualised from a 5th-century CE depiction found in the Ajanta Caves.
It was constructed under the supervision of the Indian Navy in collaboration with traditional artisans, combining ancient craftsmanship with modern naval engineering validation.
INSV Kaundinya sailed from Porbandar on December 29, 2025, retracing ancient maritime trade routes to Muscat.
The vessel reached Port Sultan Qaboos on January 14, 2026, where it received a ceremonial welcome in the presence of Omani dignitaries and members of the Indian diaspora. During its stay, the ship was opened to visitors, serving as a floating symbol of maritime heritage and cultural diplomacy, the statement said.
The voyage underscored the deep-rooted India-Oman relationship, historically shaped by trade in spices, textiles and frankincense, and highlighted shared seafaring traditions across the Arabian Sea, it said.
Named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, the vessel symbolises India's ancient oceanic navigation legacy.
Naval officials said the expedition not only showcased the resilience of traditional maritime construction techniques but also highlighted the Indian Navy's role as a custodian of the nation's civilisational maritime heritage.
The flag-in ceremony in Mumbai will mark the culmination of a landmark maritime heritage revival project and reinforce India's commitment to maritime outreach, cultural diplomacy and the preservation of traditional nautical craftsmanship.
