The Indian Navy's traditional wooden sailing vessel, INSV Kaundinya, arrived in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday after a 17-day voyage from Porbandar, India, retracing ancient maritime trade routes. Constructed using 5th-century Ajanta cave depictions and built with stitched wooden planks, coir rope, and natural resin, the engine-less ship sails under square sails and lacks metal fastenings. The vessel, named after a legendary mariner, features culturally significant motifs like the Gandabherunda and Simha Yali, and a Harappan-style stone anchor. Despite challenges such as heat and sea-sickness, the crew, including Prime Minister Modi's economic advisor Sanjeev Sanyal, described the journey as exhilarating.