Ghats of Varanasi face Namo Ghat closure until 26 October
Published on 10/24/2026 at 12:35 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSClosure and riverfront access
- The Indian Air Force placed Namo Ghat under control through 26 October 2026 for the Wings Over Ganges display.
- Visitors can use other riverfront viewpoints between Assi Ghat and Raj Ghat while access restrictions apply.
- District authorities describe 88 ghats, with bathing, worship and cremation areas along the Ganges.
At Ghats of Varanasi (Ganga Ghat), a visitor restriction linked to the Wings Over Ganges air show keeps Namo Ghat closed through 26 October 2026. The Indian Air Force has taken control of the venue in Varanasi, India, while technical systems and security arrangements are prepared.
The restriction concerns one of the riverfront’s principal visitor areas, while the wider chain of ghats remains central to daily religious and civic life. The change gives travellers a precise access point to avoid during the final days of October.
Namo Ghat closure accompanies October air show
The Indian Air Force display is scheduled at Namo Ghat on 22, 24 and 25 October 2026. A report by IANS dates the display and identifies the venue as Namo Ghat in Varanasi.
According to the access notice, all three entrances to Namo Ghat are closed to the public until 26 October 2026. The same notice says that drones are restricted and boat operations on the Ganges will also be stopped during the air show. Technical teams are installing command, communications and aviation-coordination equipment at the venue.
The restriction is tied directly to the display rather than to routine opening arrangements. It therefore matters to visitors planning a riverfront walk, a boat journey or a visit to Namo Ghat during the current access period.
How the restriction relates to the wider riverfront
The District Varanasi tourism page describes 88 ghats leading to the Ganges. Most serve bathing and puja ceremonies, while two are used exclusively as cremation sites. This mix means that the riverfront is not a single enclosed attraction with one entrance.
Many of the visible ghats were rebuilt after 1700, when Varanasi was part of the Maratha Empire. Maratha, Shinde, Holkar, Bhonsle and Peshwa patrons are associated with the current riverfront, while some individual ghats remain privately owned. These layers of worship, architecture and ownership explain why a closure at Namo Ghat changes a specific visit without removing access to every ghat.
The practical link between the current restriction and the riverfront’s form is clear: the display uses the Ganges and Namo Ghat as its operational setting, while alternative viewing areas extend along the public-facing ghats. Travellers should therefore treat Namo Ghat as a restricted venue, not as a substitute name for the entire riverbank.
Visiting Ghats of Varanasi: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Namo Ghat is closed to the public through 26 October 2026 because of preparations for the Indian Air Force display scheduled on 22, 24 and 25 October 2026.
- Other riverfront viewpoints between Assi Ghat and Raj Ghat are identified as alternatives for watching the display, while boat operations on the Ganges are restricted during the air show.
- The riverfront consists of 88 ghats, with steps, bathing areas, puja spaces and cremation sites; walking conditions and access vary from one ghat to another.
- Varanasi is in northern India on the Ganges. The city is connected by air, rail and road, and the district tourism authority lists Varanasi airport and railway connections with major Indian cities.
- Hindi and English are official languages used by authorities in India, and the national currency is the Indian rupee.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Ghats of Varanasi
When does the Wings Over Ganges display take place at Ghats of Varanasi?
The display is scheduled for 22, 24 and 25 October 2026 at Namo Ghat and above the Ganges.
What has changed at Ghats of Varanasi?
Namo Ghat is closed to the public through 26 October 2026, with related restrictions on drones and boat operations.
Where are Ghats of Varanasi and how do you get there?
The riverfront is in Varanasi on the Ganges in northern India. Varanasi is connected by air, rail and road, including links through its airport and railway station.
