Skies Over Somnath to Dazzle as IAF’s Surya Kiran Team Marks Temple’s 75th Year

Gir Somnath is preparing for a spectacular blend of spiritual tradition, national pride, and aerial brilliance as the Indian Air Force’s celebrated Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) gets ready to perform a special air show over the iconic Somnath Temple on May 11. The event is part of the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav 2026 , marking 75 years of the reconstruction of the historic temple .

The celebrations are expected to draw massive public attention, especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend the commemorative programme. Ahead of the main event, rehearsal flights conducted on Sunday transformed the temple town into a spectacle of excitement. Crowds gathered in large numbers as the pilots performed precision formations, synchronized manoeuvres, and close-range aerial stunts high above the Arabian Sea coastline.

One of the biggest attractions of this year’s show will be the use of indigenous smoke pods developed by the Air Force’s Base Repair Depot in Nashik. The smoke trails in saffron, white, and green are expected to paint the sky with the colours of the Indian tricolour, creating a dramatic patriotic moment above one of India’s most revered temples.

The 15 minute aerial performance will feature the team’s signature red-and-white Hawk Mk-132 aircraft , known for their sharp turns and tight formations that demand extraordinary precision from pilots flying just metres apart. The aircraft will take off from the Jamnagar Air Force Station and reach Somnath in under 20 minutes.

Adding to the grandeur, an Indian Air Force Chetak helicopter will shower flower petals over the temple premises during the celebrations. The helicopter unit has already conducted rehearsal sorties over the past two days.

The Surya Kiran team, established in 1996, is among the country’s most admired aerobatic squads and has performed more than 800 air displays across India and abroad, representing the Indian Air Force in countries including Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar, and the UAE .

The Somnath Amrut Mahotsav commemorates the reopening of the restored Somnath Temple by India’s first President Dr Rajendra Prasad 75 years ago. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to perform abhishek, dhwaj pooja, and maha pooja rituals at the temple before addressing a public gathering at Sadbhavana Ground.