Varanasi Air Show: IAF's 'Wings Over Ganges' Dazzles Namo Ghat During PM Modi's Visit

The Varanasi air show is trending in search on 25 October 2026 after the Indian Air Force held its 'Wings Over Ganges' display over the river during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city, according to NDTV. The spectacle, staged near Namo Ghat, drew large crowds who gathered along the riverfront to watch fighter jets and heavy-lift helicopters perform overhead.

What happened at the Varanasi air show

According to The Hindu, Rafale fighter jets and Chinook helicopters thrilled spectators with aerial manoeuvres over the Ganga as part of the show. The event was built around the Prime Minister's visit to Varanasi, with the IAF display positioned as a centrepiece near the recently developed Namo Ghat, as reported by NDTV.

While exact timings and the full list of participating aircraft have not been detailed in the available coverage, the presence of Rafale jets, among the IAF's most advanced fighters, and Chinook helicopters, used for heavy-lift and transport operations, made the show a major draw for residents and visitors in the holy city.

Why two flights were diverted

The air show's impact extended beyond the ghats. Telegraph India reported that the event led to the diversion of two IndiGo flights to Lucknow, as airspace restrictions linked to the display affected scheduled commercial air traffic into Varanasi. This is a common consequence of VVIP visits and military air displays, which often require temporary airspace closures for safety reasons, though the report does not specify flight numbers or exact delay durations.

Passengers travelling to or from Varanasi around the time of the Prime Minister's visit may have faced disruptions, and travellers are advised to check with their airlines for updated schedules whenever high-profile events or air shows are planned in a city they are flying to.

Why it matters

Varanasi, one of India's most visited spiritual and tourist destinations, has seen significant infrastructure development in recent years, including the Namo Ghat project referenced by NDTV as the focal point of this display. An IAF air show coinciding with a prime ministerial visit underscores the city's growing profile as a venue for high-visibility national events, drawing both religious pilgrims and curious onlookers eager to see military aircraft in action over the Ganga.

As of this report, there is no confirmed word on whether further such displays are planned in Varanasi, and further official details from the Indian Air Force or the Prime Minister's Office had not been reflected in the available coverage at the time of writing.