IAF plans 1st-ever flypast over Ganga, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to hold its Air Force Day flypast over Varanasi this year, marking the first time the aerial display is expected to take place above the Ganga and the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The event will be part of the celebrations marking the IAF's 94th anniversary on October 8. According to sources, the celebrations are likely to follow a two-part format, similar to last year. While the ceremonial parade is currently planned at the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, the flypast is expected to be organised in Varanasi. The final date and detailed schedule of the aerial display are yet to be announced.

If approved, the event will bring some of the Indian Air Force's most advanced aviation assets to one of India's most significant cultural and spiritual centres. Fighter aircraft, transport planes and helicopters are expected to participate in multiple formations during the flypast.

The aerial spectacle may also feature precision parachute jumps by trained paratroopers, adding to the scale of the celebrations. The flypast is expected to showcase the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force while offering residents and visitors a rare opportunity to witness military aviation displays over the historic city.

INDIAN AIR FORCE DAY 2025: HISTORY, SIGNIFICANCE AND ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Air Force Day is celebrated every year on October 8 to commemorate the establishment of the Indian Air Force in 1932. Over the years, the event has evolved into a major public display of the force's operational readiness, technological advancements and aerial prowess.

In recent years, the IAF has increasingly taken Air Force Day celebrations beyond the National Capital Region. Major flypasts and aerial displays have been held in cities such as Chandigarh, Prayagraj, Bhopal and Guwahati as part of an effort to engage a wider audience across the country.

The proposed Varanasi flypast would continue that outreach initiative while adding a unique backdrop to the celebrations. Flying over the Ganga and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple would make the event one of the most distinctive Air Force Day displays in recent years.

Final approvals, participation details and the exact date of the flypast are expected to be announced closer to the event.

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