Kashi Vishwanath priests pray for Captain Smit Machchhar's recovery after flydubai heroics
Synopsis
From Varanasi to Gujarat, India's most sacred temples are holding special rituals for Captain Smit Machchhar — the flydubai pilot who, despite being attacked by his own co-pilot mid-air, kept flying to save over 170 lives. With PM Modi personally calling his family and Israeli PM Netanyahu invoking a '9/11-style attack' comparison, this is one of the most remarkable acts of duty by an Indian pilot in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Priests at Kashi Vishwanath Temple , Varanasi , performed Rudra Abhishek and 1,25,000 Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Jaap on 1 October 2026 for Captain Smit Machchhar's recovery.
A similar prayer ceremony was held at Somnath Temple in Gujarat .
Captain Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 but continued flying, saving over 170 lives ; the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called the pilot's family — father Bhupender Bhai , mother Geeta Behen , and wife Sonal — and urged citizens to pray for his recovery.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly stated that Captain Machchhar averted a 9/11-style attack .
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced the 'Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award' for Captain Machchhar.
Priests at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday, 1 October 2026, performed special rituals praying for the speedy recovery and long life of Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 who reportedly saved over 170 lives after being grievously attacked by his co-pilot mid-flight on Wednesday.
The Rituals Performed
Sanjay Kumar Pandey, a priest at the Varanasi temple, said the ceremony involved a 'Rudra Abhishek' of the Shivling and a 'sawa lakh (1,25,000) Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Jaap' dedicated to the pilot's recovery. 'We are performing 'Rudra Abhishek' and 'sawa lakh Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Jaap' for the pilot so that he recovers at the earliest and may have a long life,' he said.
Pandey added that the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Trust and its associated families had collectively undertaken the ceremony. 'The devotion to duty that he has displayed is a matter of pride for the country,' he said. A parallel prayer ceremony was simultaneously organised at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat.
What Happened on Flight FZ1073
According to reports, Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 while in the air. Despite sustaining serious injuries, he continued to perform his duties, leading to the aircraft being safely diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. He is being widely credited with averting what could have been a catastrophic in-flight disaster.
Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly praised Captain Machchhar, stating that he had averted a 9/11-style attack — a characterisation that has amplified the global attention on the incident.
PM Modi and Gujarat Government React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the captain earlier on Thursday, saying he has brought glory to India and that the world is proud of him. Modi said the pilot demonstrated 'remarkable patience and courage' throughout the incident and saved several lives. The Prime Minister also revealed that he personally spoke to Captain Machchhar's father, Bhupender Bhai, his mother, Geeta Behen, and his wife, Sonal.
'Captain Smit's bravery fills every Indian with pride. He is undergoing treatment, and the entire world is proud of him today,' Modi said, urging citizens to pray for his long and healthy life.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced the 'Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award' for Captain Machchhar in recognition of his bravery. 'Despite being gravely injured in an attack, he showed extraordinary courage and saved 174 lives. The world salutes his bravery, and Gujarat is proud of its brave son,' Sanghavi said in a post on X.
National Outpouring of Support
The religious ceremonies at two of India's most revered temples — Kashi Vishwanath and Somnath — reflect the breadth of national sentiment around Captain Machchhar's act of courage. This comes amid widespread calls across political and public circles to honour him with the highest state recognition. Captain Machchhar is currently receiving medical treatment, with his condition described as serious. All eyes are now on his recovery as tributes continue to pour in from across India and abroad.
Point of View
And how powerfully they cut through a cynical news cycle. What deserves scrutiny, however, is the systemic question: how did a co-pilot with apparent hostile intent pass aviation safety checks and board that cockpit? Israel's Netanyahu invoking '9/11' is a diplomatic signal, not just rhetoric — it suggests the incident is being viewed through a security lens that goes beyond a routine aviation emergency. India's civil aviation regulators and flydubai's parent authority will face hard questions about crew screening protocols. Captain Machchhar's courage is beyond dispute; the institutional lapses that made his courage necessary are the story that follows.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Captain Smit Machchhar and what happened on flydubai flight FZ1073?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who was flying flydubai flight FZ1073 when he was reportedly attacked by his co-pilot mid-flight. Despite being seriously injured, he continued to fly the aircraft and diverted it safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, saving over 170 people on board.
Why are temples in Varanasi and Gujarat praying for Captain Smit Machchhar?
Priests at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and the Somnath Temple in Gujarat organised special prayer ceremonies on 1 October 2026 to seek the pilot's speedy recovery. The Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Trust undertook the ceremony in recognition of his extraordinary devotion to duty, which is being hailed as a matter of national pride.
What did PM Modi say about Captain Smit Machchhar?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Machchhar on 1 October 2026, saying he has brought glory to India and that the world is proud of him. Modi also personally called the pilot's father Bhupender Bhai, mother Geeta Behen, and wife Sonal, and urged all citizens to pray for his long and healthy life.
What award has been announced for Captain Smit Machchhar?
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced the 'Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award' for Captain Smit Machchhar in recognition of his bravery. Sanghavi stated that the pilot saved 174 lives despite being gravely injured, and that the entire state of Gujarat stands with him.
How has the international community responded to the flydubai FZ1073 incident?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly praised Captain Machchhar, stating that he averted a 9/11-style attack — a comparison that has drawn significant global attention to the incident. Prime Minister Modi noted this international recognition in his statement, highlighting the pilot's global impact.
