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Somnath Mandir Air Force Show: After Kumbabhishek On the grand occasion of Somnath Amrit Mahotsav 2026, the ‘Surya Kiran’ team of the Indian Air Force demonstrated their amazing acrobatics in the skies of Somnath Temple. At the historic event held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the original ‘smoke pods’ developed in Nashik were successfully displayed and flowers were sprinkled on top of the temple by a Chetak helicopter. Learn how this union of devotion and strength created a new history.
It was organized to celebrate the completion of 75 glorious years of reconstruction of Somnath Temple.
Somnath Mandir Air Force View: The hallowed ground of the historic Somnath Temple in Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, today witnesses a remarkable trifecta of devotion, strength and nationalism. In this grand function organized on the occasion of ‘Somnath Amrit Mahotsav 2026’, the world-famous Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force created history with its stunning aerobatic stunts over the temple. The event was organized to celebrate the completion of 75 glorious years of reconstruction of Somnath Temple.
The main attraction of the event was the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the historic temple, the Prime Minister ritually performed ‘Dhawaj Pujan’ on the 27-feet high flagstaff of the temple. Thereafter he participated in ‘Abhishek’ in the sanctum sanctorum and organized ‘Maha Puja’ for the welfare of the nation. During this time, the Prime Minister also addressed a massive public meeting at Sadbhavna Maidan, where he described Somnath as a symbol of India’s cultural unity and revival.
The powerhouse of local technology: “Smoke horns” from Nashik
The biggest highlight of this Air Force display was the glimpse of a ‘self-reliant India’. The original colored smoke pods developed by the Nashik-based Air Force’s ‘Base Repair Depot’ were used to raise the tricolor into the sky. As soon as the Surya Kiran planes passed over the temple, they flooded the blue sky with their brilliance, leaving behind streaks of thick white smoke. This scene was so glorious that the entire Somnath complex chanted slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. Apart from this, the heart shape also won the hearts of the youth.
Amazing aerobatics and flower years
In this air show, which lasted about 15 minutes, the Air Force’s red and white Hawk Mk-132 aircraft demonstrated their impeccable accuracy. The pilots demonstrated simultaneous maneuvers and sharp turns while flying within a few meters of each other. These aircraft took off from Jamnagar Air Station and reached Somnath in just 20 minutes.
Before the air show, Air Force Chetak helicopters showered flowers on the high peak of the temple, making the atmosphere very divine. After continuous rehearsals over the past two days, today’s main show was nothing less than a celebration for this city on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Watch the video here-
#He watches | Gir Somnath, Gujarat: The Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran aerobatic team performs maneuvers during the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
