Special religious prayers and rituals are being conducted at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi for the health and speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian flydubai pilot who has been praised for his actions during a dramatic mid-air emergency.
The prayers are for the safety of the captain who was seriously injured on flydubai Flight FZ1073 when flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to news, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple administration has planned special religious rituals in Varanasi for Machchhar’s well-being. The programme will include Rudrabhishek and the chanting of Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, traditional Hindu prayers associated with health, protection and well-being. There are 21 scholars to take part in Rudrabhishek with sacred water and 11 scholars to chant one lakh Mahamrityunjaya Mantras. Special arrangements were made around Ganga Aarti at Namo Ghat and the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Ghat.
The prayers come after a remarkable incident in which Captain Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot in the cockpit. The Indian captain was able to respond to the situation and passengers and crew members were able to enter the cockpit and restrain the attacker. The aircraft was forced to stop in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, for medical treatment.
The flight was carrying 174 people, according to the reports. The aircraft experienced a rapid drop in altitude during the cockpit clash before the situation was resolved and brought under control. Passengers and crew also helped restrain the attacker, while additional pilots travelling as passengers were also able to assist after the cockpit situation was calmed down. The plane was finally diverted safely to Tabuk.
In the aftermath, Captain Machchhar has come to national attention for saving lives in the emergency. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly praised him and called him a hero, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the captain’s role in averting a potentially serious disaster. Machchhar was an experienced Boeing 737 pilot already in commercial aviation having more than 13 years of experience.
Machchhar has logged thousands of hours of flying experience, including a lot on Boeing 737 aircraft, which he has worked on. He has had both command and pilot training. He has been mentioned for his experience and reaction in the emergency, but investigators are still looking into the circumstances of the cockpit confrontation.
The special prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple have added a spiritual dimension to the widespread public response to the incident. Devotees are encouraged to join in the religious practices and pray for the captain’s health and recovery. The temple administration has connected the programme to the larger values of compassion, humanity and concern for others, particularly after an individual placed himself in danger during an emergency involving hundreds of people.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and Rudrabhishek are very much part of Hindu religion. Many Hindus perform these rituals to seek God’s blessing for health, protection and well-being. The rituals are being performed today as a prayer for Captain Machchhar’s recovery following the injuries he sustained during the flight incident. So the ceremony is in essence a religious and public gesture of goodwill for the pilot.
Machchhar’s career has also been recognized through tributes. SpiceJet also paid tribute to the captain and offered prayers for his recovery. The airline said his courage and actions during the flydubai flight were representative of the responsibility and dedication associated with aviation professionals.
Machchhar’s family, colleagues and supporters also worry about his health, and they have voiced concern for his well-being while he is still being treated. His health condition has been described as stable, but little is known about the status of Captain Machchhar’s treatment and recovery so far, with limited details available. Aviation officials and authorities are still investigating the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the confrontation in the cockpit.
#WATCH | Special prayers were offered at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple for the health and long life of Flydubai ‘Hero’ Captain Smit Machchhar.
— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2026
(Source: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple) pic.twitter.com/dvWF4z4faE
The prayers at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple reflect the strong public response to an incident that attracted global attention. The prayers at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple are representative of the response from government leaders, aviation experts, citizens and devotees to the flight emergency. For those participating in the special rituals, the immediate focus remains on Captain Smit Machchhar’s health, recovery and long-term well-being.
As the investigation into the flydubai incident continues, the special prayers in Varanasi provide a moment for devotees to express their hopes for the captain’s recovery. The Rudrabhishek, Mahamrityunjaya Mantra chanting and special arrangements for Ganga Aarti are being made as acts of goodwill for the Indian pilot whose actions during a crisis have received widespread recognition.
