INSV Kaundinya Crew Turns to ‘Gujarati Thepla With Mango Pickle’ for Breakfast As Fresh Supplies End

Mumbai, January 5: The Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel, INSV Kaundinya, is nearing the halfway mark of its historic maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat. After a week at sea retracing ancient maritime trade routes, the crew has officially transitioned to dry food supplies following the exhaustion of fresh rations.

Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council who is currently onboard, shared that the team has turned to the Gujarati staple thepla and mango pickle for sustenance as they navigate the central Arabian Sea. PM Narendra Modi Hails Start of Stitched-Ship INSV Kaundinya’s Maiden Voyage From Porbandar to Muscat (See Pics).

INSV Kaundinya Crew Turns to ‘Gujarati Thepla With Mango Pickle’ for Breakfast

The expedition, which began last week, serves as a tribute to India's "stitched-ship" tradition, using a vessel built with fifth-century techniques, lacking an engine, metal nails, or modern propulsion. While the initial 48 hours were marked by difficult weather and heavy rolling of up to 50 degrees, the vessel has found more stable, albeit calmer, conditions. The crew is now relying entirely on wind patterns and ocean currents to push westward toward the Omani coast.

INSV Kaundinya Reaches Midpoint of Arabian Sea Voyage to Muscat

The eighth day of the voyage presented a different set of hurdles, with long stretches of "zero wind" and glassy seas that caused the vessel to drift slowly southwest. According to Sanyal’s updates from the high seas, the blazing sun and lack of breeze have forced off-duty crew members to rest under the deck to escape the intense heat. However, a gentle northeastern wind picking up at 1.5 to 2.0 knots on Monday morning has allowed the ship to regain its course. ‘INS Arnala’: Indian Navy All Set to Commission Country’s First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft in Visakhapatnam Dockyard (Watch Video).

Despite the slow progress during calm periods, morale remains high. The crew recently witnessed a "spectacular moonrise" that illuminated the horizon like a sunrise, and they spotted a large, non-Indian aircraft carrier in the distance before dawn, highlighting the busy nature of these historic waters.

The switch to thepla and mango pickle is more than a culinary preference; it is a nod to the practical wisdom of ancient Indian mariners. These dry rations were historically designed to withstand long journeys without refrigeration. "It is clear why it [thepla] was invented," Sanyal noted in a social media update, emphasizing the necessity of durable food supplies for transoceanic voyages where fresh resources are finite.

The INSV Kaundinya is modeled after a vessel depicted in the Ajanta cave paintings, symbolising a revival of the ancient links that once connected India’s western coast with West Asia and Africa. The mission aims to understand how ancient sailors navigated the monsoons to trade spices and textiles across the Indian Ocean.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2026 03:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).