Coracle in Kishkinda

Adding new experiences to life is essential for personal development, learning, and overall well-being. It enriches life, broadens perspectives, and contributes to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.

Life is full of uncertainties and changes, and those who have a diverse set of experiences are often better equipped to navigate and adapt to different situations.

Earlier this month, I added one such new experience. Riding a coracle. It is a unique and traditional experience.

A coracle typically has a simple, rounded shape design with a frame made of woven wood or other materials. Traditionally, am told that the frame is covered with animal hides or a waterproof material like canvas.

We used a 4 person boat. Coracles are usually small, one-person boats. The design and size make them easy to maneuver, especially in calm waters.

The paddling technique, primary means of propulsion in a coracle is paddling with a single paddle or using a technique called "shunting." Shunting involves pushing the paddle against the water and then guiding the boat in the opposite direction. This allows for effective maneuverability.

Interestingly, a middle aged man was heading back to his home in a two wheeler bike when he saw us in our car headed to the river bank. The google map pin showed our destination an old temple ( the significance of which I shall share in a separate article) up ahead in 1 km. The man stopped our car and asked us if we wanted to cross the river. Ah ! so the temple was across a river, we realized and this was a boatman. We thanked him profusely for accompanying us back and getting us across. He got his covered coracle out for us to head across a calm river. The sun was fast setting.

The boatman was speaking about crocodiles in the water and left us wondering if we did the right thing to take this ride at dusk. Apparently in choppy waters or rough conditions coracle is not a great transport !

We crossed the river and walked barefoot, about 800 meters. Boulders all around and a sandy path with forest like feel. During Covid time, leopards, bears, monkeys had a field day in this area, he said as we took deeper breaths. The lights at the temple came on . The boatman called out to the temple priest and he obliged too. After about 30 minutes at this unique charged place, we almost in a daze walked back for the return ride.

The sun had set. It was dark now. The silence was deafening. The sand under our feet were now lit by two phone torches. The trees made long shadows. Large boulders looked like whatever our mind would imagine.

The boatman held out his hand. We settled down cross-legged. The water was black. Still. Silent. The crickets began to speak aloud. The coracle turned around clockwise and anti clockwise. My mind went blank. Surrendered to the boatman. What did we know about paddling? or for that matter swimming in croc-riddled night waters in a lake or was this a river?

Before we knew it, we reached the shore. Quite charged was the welcome to Kishkinda - kingdom of monkeys, as mentioned in the epic Ramayana

Engaging with unfamiliar situations encourages the brain to make new connections and fosters creative thinking. Life is a collection of memories, and new experiences contribute to this collection. Trying new things and going to new places create lasting memories that can be cherished and reflected upon in the future.

Wishing the readers a great rest of 2023 !