Somnath Temple holds special Mahapuja for Captain Smit Machchhar's recovery
Synopsis
A Gujarat pilot who was allegedly stabbed mid-flight by his own co-pilot — yet kept the aircraft safe for 174 passengers — is now the subject of prayers at one of India's most sacred temples. The Somnath Mahapuja and Gujarat's ₹25 lakh reward underscore just how extraordinary Captain Smit Machchhar's actions aboard flydubai FZ1073 are being viewed at home.
Key Takeaways
A special Mahapuja and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra chanting ritual were performed at Somnath Temple, Gujarat on 1 October 2026 for Captain Smit Machchhar's recovery.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel led the prayers via a post on social media platform X, calling it a collective prayer of the entire state and country.
Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on 30 September , with 174 passengers on board; the flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia and landed safely.
Despite serious injuries, Machchhar opened the cockpit door allowing crew and passengers to restrain the attacker; he is currently in stable condition in a Tabuk hospital.
The Gujarat government has announced the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award and a ₹25 lakh cash reward for his courage.
Machchhar has over 9,750 flying hours and joined flydubai in 2022 after 11 years with SpiceJet .
A special Mahapuja was performed at the revered Somnath Temple in Gujarat on 1 October 2026 for the 'speedy recovery and long life' of flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured during an alleged cockpit attack aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on 30 September. An uninterrupted Mahamrityunjaya Mantra chanting ritual was also initiated at the first Jyotirlinga, according to an official statement issued in connection with the prayers.
The Prayer Ceremony at Somnath
The ritual — comprising the special Mahapuja and an Ayushya Mantra Jaap Anushthan — was held at the Shree Somnath Mahadev temple seeking Captain Machchhar's health and full recovery. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the ceremony had drawn collective prayers from people across Gujarat and the country. 'The collective prayers of the entire Gujarat and all our countrymen are associated with this special Mahapuja and Ayushya Mantra Jaap Anushthan being held at the first Jyotirlinga Shree Somnath Mahadev for the recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar,' CM Patel wrote in a post on social media platform X. He prayed to Lord Somnath for Machchhar's speedy and complete recovery and long life.
What Happened Aboard Flight FZ1073
Captain Machchhar was at the controls of flydubai flight FZ1073, which departed Dubai for Tel Aviv on 30 September carrying 174 passengers. Midway through the flight, he was allegedly attacked and stabbed by his co-pilot inside the cockpit. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew members to enter and physically restrain the attacker. Additional flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers also reportedly stepped in to assist in taking control of the aircraft. The flight was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Machchhar was hospitalised in Tabuk and has since been reported to be in stable condition.
Gujarat Government Announces Honours and Reward
The Gujarat government has announced that Captain Machchhar will be conferred the 'Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award' in recognition of his courage during the in-flight emergency. Sources in the Chief Minister's Office also confirmed that a cash reward of ₹25 lakh has been announced for him. His actions during the crisis have drawn widespread praise both domestically and internationally.
Machchhar's Aviation Background
Captain Machchhar brings more than 9,750 hours of flying experience to his role. He joined flydubai in 2022 after approximately 11 years with SpiceJet, where he built the bulk of his career. The circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation and the motive behind the alleged attack remain under investigation by authorities.
What Happens Next
As Machchhar continues to recover in a Tabuk hospital, the investigation into the co-pilot's alleged actions is ongoing, with no official motive confirmed as yet. The Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award ceremony and the disbursement of the ₹25 lakh cash reward are expected to be formalised once he returns to India.
Point of View
And what does that say about mental health screening and cockpit access protocols at budget carriers? The Germanwings precedent from 2015 prompted sweeping regulatory changes globally, yet carrier-level implementation has been uneven. India's aviation regulator and the UAE authorities owe the public a transparent account of what preceded this incident, not just the heroism that followed it.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Captain Smit Machchhar on flydubai flight FZ1073?
Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot inside the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September with 174 passengers on board. Despite serious injuries, he opened the cockpit door, enabling crew and passengers to restrain the attacker; the plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely.
Why was a special Mahapuja held at Somnath Temple for Captain Machchhar?
The Mahapuja and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra chanting ritual were organised on 1 October 2026 at the Somnath Temple — the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas — seeking Captain Machchhar's speedy recovery and long life after he was seriously injured in the cockpit attack. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel publicly associated himself with the prayers, reflecting the widespread public sentiment around the pilot's actions.
What awards and rewards has the Gujarat government announced for Captain Machchhar?
The Gujarat government has announced the 'Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award' for Captain Machchhar in recognition of his courage during the in-flight emergency. A cash reward of ₹25 lakh has also been confirmed by sources in the Chief Minister's Office.
What is Captain Smit Machchhar's current condition?
Captain Machchhar has been reported to be in stable condition at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where he was taken after the emergency landing. The exact extent of his injuries has not been officially detailed, but reports describe them as serious.
What is the motive behind the alleged cockpit attack?
The motive behind the co-pilot's alleged attack on Captain Machchhar remains unknown; the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation are still under investigation by authorities. No official explanation has been released.
