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Visitor advisory

IAF Air Show in Varanasi, October 2026: Visitor Advisory

Last updated: 23 October 2026. The Indian Air Force’s aerial display over the Ganga at Namo Ghat, reported as “Wings Over Ganga”, held its first day on 22 October, according to ANI and Aaj Tak (both 22 October). The remaining displays are on 24 and 25 October 2026, the dates in a Central Air Command statement carried by ANI on 7 October. We have not found a published police order on traffic, ghats or boats, so the arrangements below are what the police and officials have told news outlets. Please check the Varanasi police advisory before you travel. More guides: Varanasi guide.

The air show at a glance

What the sources say as of 23 October 2026. Details may change on the day.

  • What it is: the Indian Air Force Day Aerial Display 2026, organised by the IAF’s Central Air Command to mark the Air Force’s 94th anniversary (Central Air Command statement carried by ANI, 7 October)
  • Dates: the first display was held on 22 October (ANI, Aaj Tak, 22 October); the remaining days are 24 and 25 October
  • Venue: over the Ganga at Namo Ghat, which is the venue for the VIP stand (Central Air Command statement, 7 October)
  • Timings: not officially published; the Police Commissioner gave 11:40 am to 2 pm with a break (ANI, 21 October)
  • Tickets: no public ticketing had been announced (India TV, 22 October)
  • Restrictions: boat suspension, a drone ban, bridge closures and traffic diversions, as reported; no published police order found

Dates: the first display and the remaining days

ANI reported on 22 October that the display took place that Thursday, with spectators along the banks from Namo Ghat to Assi Ghat. Aaj Tak (22 October) reported that the three-day show began that day over the Ganga between Namo Ghat and the Chandauli bank, and tnpnews (22 October) also reported the show under way. A full rehearsal was held on 21 October, ANI reported that day.

The remaining displays are on 24 and 25 October. Times of India (5 October) reported that a show first planned for 23 October was moved to 24 October because of the MLC elections that day. A few earlier reports gave 24 to 26 October; the reports from 21 and 22 October that we read all give 22, 24 and 25 October.

Reports say the Prime Minister is expected at the display on 25 October (ANI, 21 October; ETV Bharat and Aaj Tak, 22 October); Aaj Tak (21 October) wrote around 1 pm. We found no PIB or Prime Minister’s Office announcement of the visit, so treat it as expected, not confirmed. Aaj Tak (22 October) also reported that the Defence Minister may attend on 24 October. Expect tighter security and heavier crowds on 25 October.

Display timings

No official timetable has been published that we could find. The Central Air Command statement (7 October) said timings would be issued through official channels.

According to ANI (21 October), Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal said the show runs from 11:40 am to 2 pm with a 20-minute break, and asked viewers to be in their places by 10 am. Amar Ujala (21 October) quoted District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar giving two slots, 11:40 am to 12:30 pm and 1 pm to 2 pm. Plan to arrive well before 10 am if you want a place to watch.

Amar Ujala (17 October) reported that the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team will fly nine Hawk Mk-132 aircraft at Namo Ghat, and Amar Ujala (18 October) placed that display on 24 October. The final line-up may change.

Where the public can watch

According to ANI (21 October), the Police Commissioner said about 500 barricaded enclosures have been set up for viewers, each holding about 4,000 people, and about 70 parking spots have been marked between 500 metres and 2 km from the ghats. Amar Ujala (18 October) reported 10 viewing blocks along the Varuna, from Sarai Mohana Ghat to the Khaki Kuti Baba temple ghat, about 2 km from Namo Ghat.

Across the river, Amar Ujala (21 October) reported 19 viewing blocks at Domri, Sujabad and Katesar, with CCTV, drinking water, toilets, watchtowers and five entry gates; Domri has the most space. Amar Ujala (17 October) reported 21 watchtowers from Sujabad to Katesar on the Chandauli side.

On 22 October, ANI reported crowds on the steps of Namo Ghat, near the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and at Assi Ghat. The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has told people not to gather on dilapidated rooftops or balconies to watch, and has identified 424 such buildings, Aaj Tak reported on 21 October.

Tickets: India TV (22 October) reported that no public ticketing had been announced and advised against paying anyone who claims to sell tickets. Amar Ujala (15 October) reported that invitations are being sent to guests, and Namo Ghat itself has a VIP stand, so not all of it may be open to the public.

Reported restrictions: ghats, river, bridges, roads and parking

We have not found a published order from the Varanasi Police Commissionerate. Most of what follows comes from the Police Commissioner and other officials as reported by news outlets, each named with its date. Plans may change on the day.

Namo Ghat and the ghats

IBC24 (22 October) reported double barricading on two stretches of about 5.5 km, from Domri to Satti Ghat and from Adi Keshav Ghat to Dashashwamedh Ghat, with single entry and exit routes at the ghats and metal detectors at entry points. Dainik Jagran (13 October) reported that movement at Namo Ghat is closed from 21 to 25 October and that Ganga bathing is prohibited during the air show; only that report mentions the bathing ban, and it gives no hours.

Boats on the Ganga

ETV Bharat (22 October) reported that boat operations near Namo Ghat are suspended on show days, and IBC24 (22 October) reported that private boats are banned from 8 am to 5 pm during the air show. If you plan a boat ride on 24 or 25 October, read our boat ride guide and confirm locally.

Drones

Flying drones is banned within 5 km on both sides of the ghats, and unauthorised flights face legal action, according to the police plan reported by Janwarta (20 October) and ETV Bharat (22 October).

Ganga bridges

tnpnews (22 October) reported that traffic on Malviya Bridge (Rajghat bridge) was stopped from 9 am on 22 October and that the restriction would continue on the coming show days. Amar Ujala (21 October) reported the Chandauli plan: vehicles heading to Varanasi over the Rajghat and Samne Ghat bridges from the Mughalsarai and Alinagar areas are stopped from 8 am until the programme ends on show days, and should use NH-19 and the Ring Road.

Vehicles entering the city

According to ETV Bharat (22 October), which interviewed Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal, goods vehicles, state and private buses, tempo travellers and Urbania buses run via the Ring Road and NH-19, heavy vehicles from Mirzapur go via Aurai and Bhadohi, and ambulances and essential services keep running in the city. IBC24 (22 October) and Amar Ujala (18 October) reported four traffic plans, applied according to the crowd.

Parking

IBC24 (22 October) reported that visitors from the city are directed to parking and viewing areas on the city side of the Ganga, and visitors from other districts to the Ramnagar-Padav area. Amar Ujala (21 October) named the Padav four-wheeler sites as the FCI godown, Sunbeam School ground and the ground behind SRN School, with overflow sent to Lanka Maidan in Ramnagar, and reported a walk of about 300 to 400 metres from the Padav parking to the viewing area.

Buses, autos and e-rickshaws

ETV Bharat (22 October) reported city bus routes from Sandaha to BHU, from Jagatpur Degree College to Cantt bus station and from Harhua to Cantt railway station, with autos and e-rickshaws for the air show between Sandaha and the Azamgarh underpass. Amar Ujala (11 October) reported that roadways buses from Kashi depot and Cantt bus station will not enter the city and will run from points on the Ring Road and NH-19.

Green corridors

ETV Bharat (22 October) reported three green corridors for ambulances: Namo Ghat to Kabir Chaura hospital, Chowkaghat to Infinity Hospital, and Chowkaghat to BHU. Janwarta’s account of the police briefing (20 October) describes the routes a little differently, including one from Padav through Ramnagar to the district hospital there.

Kashi Vishwanath darshan during the air show: entry, crowds and travel

What the temple administration has decided. According to ANI and Amar Ujala (both 17 October), a coordination meeting at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham on 17 October, chaired by the temple’s Chief Executive Officer Satyam Mishra and attended by temple, police and CRPF officials, decided that darshan and visitor movement on the air show days, including 24 and 25 October, will be managed on the pattern used on Shravan (Sawan) Mondays. The reports say entry and exit routes for devotees will be regulated on that pattern, with barricading where needed, and that basic amenities for devotees are to be the highest priority. Patrika (17 October) and ETV Bharat (18 October) reported the same meeting; ETV Bharat gives 24 to 26 October as the show dates in one passage. On 22 October, ANI reported crowds near the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor watching the display.

What has not been announced. These reports do not name the gates, queue routes or timings, and they do not say whether Sugam Darshan or VIP and protocol darshan will be suspended. They say nothing about access from the Ganga side through Lalita Ghat; boats near Namo Ghat are reported suspended on show days (see above). When we checked the temple trust’s website on 18 October, it showed no notice about the air show, and Sugam Darshan was still listed for booking; we could not open the site on 23 October. We found no published police order on the temple area. Please do not assume any gate, route or booking will work as usual until the temple trust or the police says so.

Practical suggestions. These are our own suggestions, not instructions from the temple or the police.

  • Before you set out, check the temple trust’s website for notices, or call its helpline on +91 63931 31608.
  • If you have booked Sugam Darshan or an aarti for 24 or 25 October, confirm with the temple trust that it still stands.
  • Go early, ideally before the display window around midday, and allow extra time for queues, security checks and walking from where your auto or e-rickshaw drops you.
  • Expect closures and barricades near the ghats on show days, as news reports describe; boats near Namo Ghat are reported suspended, so have a road route ready.
  • Carry as little as you can; on crowded days security checks take longer.

From Hotel Vinayak Plaza to the temple

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is about 4.7 km by road from our hotel, by our Google Maps reading on 5 October 2026, before any show-day arrangements. The route runs towards the old city, and roads there may be diverted on show days, so we do not give a travel time. Our reception can book an auto or cab and tell you what they hear about the roads that morning. Read our Kashi Vishwanath guide for darshan basics.

If you are in Varanasi on 24 or 25 October

General advice. These are our own suggestions, not instructions from any official source.

  • Check the latest Varanasi police traffic advisory on the day, and again before you leave for the station, airport or ghats.
  • Allow extra time for every journey on show days, especially near the river and the Ganga bridges; reports say the Rajghat bridge is closed to traffic during the shows.
  • If you are coming by road from another district, expect to be sent to parking in the Ramnagar-Padav area, as reported, and to walk from there.
  • If you plan to watch, reach a viewing area early (the police asked viewers to be seated by 10 am), carry water, and do not climb onto old rooftops or balconies.
  • Do not fly a drone anywhere near the ghats.
  • Plan temple visits, ghat walks and the evening Ganga Aarti knowing that arrangements may change; we have not seen a report on whether the evening aarti will be affected.
  • If you are visiting other places in these days, see our list of tourist places in Varanasi and keep your plans flexible.

Staying at Hotel Vinayak Plaza

Our hotel is on Sankat Mochan Road. Namo Ghat is about 15.5 km by road from the hotel, by our Google Maps reading on 5 October 2026, before any show-day arrangements. Routes may be closed or diverted on show days, so we do not give a travel time. We do not yet know how the traffic plan will affect roads near the hotel. Our reception is staffed 24×7 and can book an auto or cab for guests, so please ask us on the day before you set out. See the rooms.

Call or WhatsApp +91 91992 67480 (enquiries). Phone calls are answered 24×7. Address: Sankat Mochan Rd, near Sankat Mochan Temple, Saket Nagar Colony, Sankata Mochan Leprosy, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010. You can also contact the hotel by email.

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Questions about the Varanasi air show

When is the IAF air show in Varanasi?

The first display was held on 22 October 2026, ANI and Aaj Tak reported. The remaining displays are on 24 and 25 October, the dates in the Central Air Command statement carried by ANI on 7 October.

What time does the air show start?

No official timetable has been published that we could find. The Police Commissioner said the show runs from 11:40 am to 2 pm with a 20-minute break and asked viewers to be seated by 10 am (ANI, 21 October).

Can the public watch the air show, and from where?

Yes, from viewing areas. The Police Commissioner said about 500 barricaded enclosures have been set up (ANI, 21 October), and Amar Ujala (21 October) reported 19 viewing blocks across the river at Domri, Sujabad and Katesar. No public ticketing had been announced (India TV, 22 October), so do not pay anyone for tickets.

Will Namo Ghat and the other ghats be closed?

IBC24 (22 October) reported double barricading from Domri to Satti Ghat and from Adi Keshav Ghat to Dashashwamedh Ghat, with single entry and exit points. Dainik Jagran (13 October) reported that movement at Namo Ghat is closed from 21 to 25 October and that Ganga bathing is banned during the show. We found no published police order.

Will boats run on the Ganga during the air show?

ETV Bharat (22 October) reported that boats near Namo Ghat are suspended on show days, and IBC24 (22 October) reported a ban on private boats from 8 am to 5 pm. Please confirm locally on the day.

Will the Prime Minister attend on 25 October?

News reports say he is expected at the display on 25 October (ANI, 21 October; ETV Bharat and Aaj Tak, 22 October). We found no PIB or Prime Minister’s Office announcement, so treat it as expected. Expect tighter security that day.

How far is Namo Ghat from Hotel Vinayak Plaza?

About 15.5 km by road from the hotel, by our Google Maps reading on 5 October 2026. Routes may be diverted on show days, so ask our reception before you set out; they can book an auto or cab.

Can I do Kashi Vishwanath darshan on the air show days?

We have seen no report that darshan will stop. ANI and Amar Ujala reported on 17 October that the temple administration will manage crowds on the show days as it does on Shravan Mondays, with regulated entry and exit routes and barricading. Gates, timings and Sugam or VIP darshan had not been announced when we last checked, so check the temple trust’s website or helpline before you go, and go early.

Sources and last checked

Last checked: 23 October 2026. We found no published traffic or diversion order from the Varanasi Police Commissionerate, no air show notice on the Varanasi district website (varanasi.nic.in, page last updated 21 October 2026), and no PIB or IAF release on the event or on the Prime Minister’s visit. We could not open the police X account or the temple trust website from here. We will add official sources as soon as we find them.

Statement attributed to the IAF:

News reports (outlet and date of publication):

After 25 October: once the last display is over, this page will be converted to a short summary of the past event.

If you notice something out of date, please contact us.

  • Central Air Command statement on the Indian Air Force Day Aerial Display 2026, as carried by ANI (7 October 2026)
  • ANI: ‘Wings Over Ganga’ air show over Varanasi ghats (22 October 2026)
  • Aaj Tak: first day of the air show from Namo Ghat to Chandauli (22 October 2026); Prime Minister may attend on 25 October (21 October 2026); Municipal Corporation advisory on dilapidated rooftops (21 October 2026)
  • tnpnews: air show crowds; Malviya Bridge traffic stopped (22 October 2026)
  • ANI: 12,000 police personnel deployed at Namo Ghat, 500 enclosures set up for viewers (21 October 2026)
  • ETV Bharat: over 11,900 personnel deployed, traffic diversions announced (22 October 2026)
  • IBC24: Wings Over Ganga security and traffic plan (22 October 2026)
  • India TV: Varanasi air show dates, timings, ticket details and viewing spots (22 October 2026)
  • Amar Ujala: viewing blocks, parking and timings (21 October 2026); Chandauli traffic and parking plan (21 October 2026); 79 temporary police stations, three green corridors and four traffic plans (18 October 2026); Suryakiran team with nine aircraft (17 October 2026); Chandauli watchtowers (17 October 2026); three-stage traffic plan (11 October 2026); guest invitations (15 October 2026)
  • Janwarta: police preparations for the air show, from the police briefing (20 October 2026)
  • Dainik Jagran: Namo Ghat entry closed, barricading along the Ganga up to Assi Ghat (13 October 2026)
  • Times of India: Oct 23 IAF air show event rescheduled due to MLC polls (5 October 2026)
  • ANI: Kashi Vishwanath Dham to implement Shravan Monday-like crowd management for upcoming Air Show (17 October 2026); Amar Ujala, Patrika: the same meeting (17 October 2026); ETV Bharat: Sawan Monday-style crowd management (18 October 2026)
  • Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple trust website, shrikashivishwanath.org: no air show notice; helpline number (checked 18 October 2026; could not be opened 23 October 2026)