Fact Check: Air Force jets form Trishul in the sky on Maha Kumbh Mela last day? No, viral image is old

Hyderabad: The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in UP concluded with a spectacular Indian Air Force (IAF) flypast on Maha Shivratri. While 1.5 crore devotees gathered for the final Shahi Snan at Triveni Sangam, Sukhoi fighter jets, AN-32 transport planes, and Chetak helicopters performed aerial manoeuvres, with helicopters showering rose petals on pilgrims. Dubbed Mahasalami, the tribute showcased India’s air prowess and added a memorable touch to the festival’s grand finale.

In this context, an image of a Trishul (trident) formation by three planes in the sky has been circulating, with claims linking it to the IAF flypast at the conclusion of the Maha Kumbh Mela.

An X user, retired Major General Harsha Kakar, shared the image with the caption, “Pic of the Year !!! Mahadev’s TRISHUL formation by 3 Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft!!! Salute to #IndianAirforce.” (Archive)

BJP MLA Sanjay Satyendra Pathak also shared it on X, making the same claim. (Archive)

Media outlets, including Live Hindustan and India News, also reported the image, claiming the same. (Archive) (Archive)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The viral image has been on the Internet since 2019. No such Trishul formation was done during the Air Force air show at the Maha Kumbh.

Upon a reverse image search of the viral image, we found it posted on X and Facebook accounts in 2019 and 2020. We also found it in a Zee News report in 2023.

During our investigation, we found the same image shared on March 4, 2019, by the Facebook page of Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL). The post saluted the Indian Air Force on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

Upon closer examination, we found that the viral image is likely a cropped version of the original one shared by KOEL. Similar digitally created posters can also be found on KOEL’s Facebook page. Find the exact source of the image notwithstanding, the information so far showed that the photo had been shared since 2019.

Did IAF form Trishul during Maha Kumbh Mela’s concluding event?

We reviewed footage of the Indian Air Force air show in Prayagraj on the final day of Maha Kumbh, as published by NDTV, DD News and News9 Live. However, we did not find any visuals of a Trishul formation resembling the viral image. Also, we did not find any report by credible media on the Trishul formation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s advisor, Awanish K Awasthi, also shared visuals from the air show held at the conclusion of the Maha Kumbh. However, none of them featured a scene similar to the viral image.

Therefore, we conclude that the viral image is old and the claim that a Trishul formation was done by the IAF in the air at the conclusion of the Maha Kumbh Mela is false.