Grand Amrut Mahotsav Celebrations: Indian Air Force’s spectacular Suryakiran air show lights up Somnath skies

The skies above the historic Somnath Temple roared with colour and precision on Monday as the Indian Air Force’s elite Suryakiran Aerobatic Team staged a breathtaking air show in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ‘Somnath Amrutparv-2026’ celebrations in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district.

Thousands of devotees and visitors gathered along the temple coastline to witness the high-octane aerial spectacle, which emerged as one of the biggest highlights of the grand celebrations marking 75 years of the post-Independence reconstruction of the Somnath Temple.

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Somnath, Gujarat: IAF’s Suryakiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) forms Indian tricolor smoke trails during Suryakiran Air Show as a part of Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations at the Somnath Temple pic.twitter.com/QfM7D3zga6

— IANS (@ians_india) May 11, 2026

Hawk Mk-132 aircraft sliced through the skies in tight formations, releasing saffron, white and green smoke trails that painted the horizon in the colours of the Indian Tricolour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust, watched the 15-minute aerial performance after participating in a series of religious ceremonies at the temple, including the Vishesh Maha Puja, Kumbhabhishek and Dhvajarohan rituals.

#WATCH | Gir Somnath, Gujarat: Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Acrobatics team perform manoeuvres during the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at the Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

As part of the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part… pic.twitter.com/460BdvpIri

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2026

Precision aerobatics over one of India’s holiest shrines

The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, one of the Indian Air Force’s premier display units, performed synchronised manoeuvres above the temple complex and Arabian Sea coastline, drawing loud cheers from the crowd gathered for the Amrut Mahotsav.

Group Captain Ajay Dasharathi led the 13-member pilot contingent during the display, while nearly 30 Air Force personnel supervised aviation safety operations, flypast coordination, weather monitoring and communication support for the event.

The aerobatic jets used indigenously developed smoke pods designed by the Air Force’s Base Repair Depot in Nashik to create vibrant tricolour patterns across the sky.

Watch | Gujarat: During the ‘Somnath Amrit Mahotsav’ held at the premises of the Somnath Temple, the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performed spectacular aerial maneuvers in a thrilling ‘Suryakiran Air Show.’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister… pic.twitter.com/6qdqAqKvbW

— United News of India (@uniindianews) May 11, 2026

Flower shower adds ceremonial grandeur

Adding to the visual spectacle, an Indian Air Force Chetak helicopter carried out a flower shower over the Somnath Temple premises as devotees chanted prayers and watched the celebrations unfold.

Officials said the helicopter unit from Jamnagar regularly undertakes search and rescue operations, medical evacuation missions and disaster relief duties apart from ceremonial assignments.

Rehearsals for the aerial tribute had been conducted over the previous two days to ensure smooth execution of the high-profile event.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Somnath from Jamnagar earlier in the day and held a massive roadshow from the helipad to Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle in Veraval, with large crowds lining the route to welcome him. At the temple, the Prime Minister offered prayers and participated in the Kumbhabhishek ceremony, a sacred consecration ritual being held for the first time atop the reconstructed temple’s towering shikhar. He also hoisted the temple flag as part of the traditional Dhvajarohan ceremony.

PM Modi later paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose efforts after Independence laid the foundation for the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple after repeated historical invasions and destruction.

Jai Somnath! Feeling blessed to be here, when we are marking 75 years since the rebuilt Temple opened its doors for devotees. pic.twitter.com/gFumT80Qva

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 11, 2026