Varanasi, 22 Oct (HS): The Indian Air Force (IAF) is

presenting the Wings Over Ganges air show over the Ganga at Namo Ghat in

Varanasi, commemorating the city's first IAF air demonstration. Display and

testing flights will take place between October 22 and October 25, 2026, with

the big exhibition on Sunday. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team flies nine HAL

Hawk Mk 132 planes decorated with tricolor smoke. The Sarang Helicopter Display

Team is flying ALH Dhruv helicopters, which have already been observed trailing

tricolor smoke over the Ganges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to attend the major

event on October 25, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Beginning October 19, 2026, local officials

prohibited the sale of meat, fish, and poultry within a 30-kilometer radius of

Namo Ghat to prevent bird attacks during low-altitude flying drills.

The stairs of Namo Ghat were filled before the first motor boom echoed down the

river. On Thursday, hundreds of onlookers lined the Ganga from Namo Ghat to

Assi Ghat as the Indian Air Force launched Wings Over Ganges, the

first IAF air display over the river in Varanasi.

3 HJT-16 Kiran trainers flew the tricolor in the

Kashi formation, followed by Rafale, Su-30MKI, Tejas, and Chinook.

This was merely the opening act. The Wings Over Ganges displays continue on

October 24, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeing the major event on Sunday,

October 25. Officially dubbed the Indian

Air Force Aerial Display 2026, the event commemorates the 94th anniversary of a

service established on October 8, 1932, and serves as a homecoming for Central

Air Command, whose headquarters are located just upriver in Prayagraj.

Thousands of people gathered on the ghats on both banks of

the river Ganga were filled with excitement after seeing the stunts of the

Indian Air Force aircraft. On the first day of this three-day mega air show '

Wings Over Ganga ' which started today at Namo Ghat, three Kiran aircraft were

seen flying in a prominent formation in the shape of 'V' symbolizing victory.

Seeing this, people were thrilled. People welcomed the Indian bravehearts by

clapping.

The air show began with a major cultural performance,

including the origin of Manikarnika, and the national anthem. This was followed

by a spectacular formation by the Dashashwa team. A C-17 Globemaster aircraft

and nine Suryakiran Hawk aircraft performed a spectacular flypast over the main

stage at Namo Ghat. India's renowned Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performed a

spectacular display over the Ganges. Three ALH Mark III helicopters of the

Indian Air Force and the Indian Army were seen hovering in the sky.

The display of Rafale aircraft in the form of Kedar won the

hearts of the people. When Rafale flew upside down in the sky, the people

standing below started screaming. Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft under the callsign

Hanuman raised the heartbeats and curiosity of the people by

performing aerobatic display at low altitude. Harvard aircraft under the

callsign Sarang displayed perfect aerobatics. Omkar and Ganga,

which were three Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Omkar formation, flew in

Vic formation carrying the national flag and the flag of the Indian Air Force.

Ministry of Defence (Prayagraj) spokesperson and PRO

Debartho Dhar said at Namo Ghat in Varanasi, We have come to win the

hearts of the people through the air show starting today over the Ganges River

in Varanasi. After today, the air show will be held over the Ganges River in

Varanasi on Saturday, October 24th, and Sunday, October 25th. A number of

fighter aircraft are being showcased, including those involved in the

successful Operation Sindoor.

During this, there was special presence of all the officers

of the Indian Air Force and their family members, children of the city schools,

teachers, guests and people from different parts of the country.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi