The skies over Varanasi turned into a stage on Thursday as the Indian Air Force opened "Wings Over Ganges", a three-day aerial display marking its 94th anniversary. Thousands of people packed the ghats from Namo Ghat to Assi Ghat to watch Rafale, Sukhoi-30MKI and Tejas jets roar over the Ganga, with helicopters and trainers adding colour to the show. The display returns on October 24 and ends with a grand finale on October 25, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MP from Varanasi, is scheduled to attend.
With around 100 aircraft taking part, it is a large-scale public display, and the choice of the holy city's riverfront has made it a major draw for locals and visitors alike.
A spectacle over the Ganga
On the opening day, spectators crowded the Namo Ghat steps, the stretch near the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Assi Ghat. Three Kiran trainer aircraft flew the "Kashi" formation in a V-shape, trailing the tricolour, while Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and frontline fighters made low passes along the river. The Sarang Helicopter Display Team also performed over Malviya Bridge.
According to IAF officials, about 100 aircraft drawn from 12 air bases are part of the event – 52 fighters, 32 helicopters and 15 transport aircraft – along with participation from the Army and Navy.
| Event | Wings Over Ganges – IAF Aerial Display 2026 |
| Occasion | Indian Air Force's 94th anniversary |
| Dates | October 22, 24 and 25, 2026 |
| Main venue | Namo Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Aircraft | About 100 – 52 fighters, 32 helicopters, 15 transport |
| Display teams | Surya Kiran (Hawk jets), Sarang (ALH Dhruv helicopters) |
| Finale | October 25, PM Modi scheduled to attend |
Aircraft and formations to watch
The line-up covers almost every major platform in the IAF's inventory. Fighters include the Rafale, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Jaguar and the home-grown LCA Tejas. The transport and support fleet includes the C-17 Globemaster, C-130, C-295, AN-32 and airborne early-warning aircraft, while the helicopter fleet features the Chinook, Mi-17, ALH Mk-III and the Navy's Kamov-31.
Formations with a Kashi touch
Many formations carry names rooted in the city's culture:
- Kashi – three Kiran trainers in a V-shape.
- Varun – three ALH Mk-III helicopters.
- Omkar – three Mi-17 helicopters carrying the national flag and showering flower petals.
- Tridev – a joint-services formation of a Navy Kamov-31, an IAF ALH Mk-III and an Army ALH Mk-III.
- Other formations named by officials include Kedar, Hanuman, Rudra and Bhagirathi.
For the finale, reports say six different fighter types – Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Tejas and MiG-29 – will fly together in an arrowhead formation, along with a simulated attack run by Jaguars near Malviya Bridge. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team and the Sarang team, which officials say is the only five-helicopter display team in Asia, will close the show.
What it means for Varanasi and India
For the IAF, the event is a chance to show its combat readiness and modern fleet to a huge public audience, with a strong emphasis on indigenous platforms such as the Tejas, the ALH Dhruv and the LCH Prachand under the Atmanirbhar Bharat push. It also follows the multinational Tarang Shakti exercise held in Jodhpur this year.
For Varanasi, the show has extended the festive mood right after Dussehra, with the riverfront drawing families, students and tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the jets flying low over the ghats.
Tips if you plan to watch
- Reach the ghats early – crowds built up well before the display on the opening day.
- Namo Ghat is the main viewing area; Assi Ghat and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor stretch also offer views.
- Expect traffic restrictions and tighter security on October 25 because of the Prime Minister's visit.
- Do not fly drones or kites near the display zone, as the airspace is restricted.
- Follow updates from the district administration and the IAF for exact timings.
What happens next
The second day of flying is on Saturday, October 24, followed by the full-dress finale on Sunday, October 25 in the presence of the Prime Minister. With the biggest formations saved for the last day, the Namo Ghat crowd is expected to be the largest of the three days.
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