On the banks of the Saryu River, the city’s boatmen have always been a familiar sight: weathered faces, hands steady on oars, ferrying pilgrims and visitors across the sacred waters. But now, these river veterans are taking on a new role—one that goes beyond carrying people from one bank to another. They are becoming storytellers, keeping the city’s history, legends, and folklore alive with every ripple of the water.
Ram Kishore, whose family has been navigating the Saryu for more than six decades, leans back in his boat and smiles. “We grew up listening to these stories,” he says. “Now, we get to share them with everyone who comes here. And yes, it helps us earn a living too.”
The Ayodhya Tourism Department has trained the boatmen to turn their rides into immersive experiences. As visitors drift past ghats and temple spires, they hear tales from the Ramayana, local myths, and little-known anecdotes about the city’s past—stories that have lived in the memories of the boatmen for generations.
For many tourists, the difference is striking. Rakesh Sharma, visiting from Lucknow, admits, “I’ve been to Ayodhya many times. But hearing these stories while floating on the river… it made the city feel alive in a way I’ve never felt before.”
The initiative is more than a novelty—it’s a step toward sustainable, culturally rooted tourism. By turning boatmen into storytellers, Ayodhya is giving visitors meaningful experiences while supporting local communities and preserving its heritage.
In a city where mythology and history are inseparable, the Saryu boatmen are doing more than rowing—they are keeping the city’s stories alive, one ride at a time.
