Old Photo Shared As IAF’s Trishul Formation Over Mahakumbh Mela

As the Mahakumbh comes to an end, a photograph allegedly showing the Trishul formation by the Indian Air Force over the Mela on Mahashivratri, which also marked its final day, has gone viral on social media platforms. 

Multiple X and Facebook users shared the image, showing three planes positioned to resemble a Trident – a weapon associated with Hindu Lord Shiva, claiming to show the ‘Trishul’ formation by the IAF over Mahakumbh to mark the Mahashivaratri. 

Such posts can be seen here, here and here. 

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Fact Check/Verification

A Google Lens search on the viral image led us to a Facebook post by @shivchela, dated March 9, 2019. It featured the same photo allegedly showing the Trishul formation by the IAF. 

We found multiple social media posts from March 2019 carrying the same photo. One such post by @KOELElectricPumps, dated March 4, 2019, stated “On this special occasion of Mahashivratri Let’s hats off to our “MAHA” Force..!!! Dedicated to our Indian Air Force for their Strength & courage.”

 We then skimmed through multiple videos showing the Air Force pilots performing the ‘Trishul’ maneuver, and found the formation to be different from the one seen in the viral image. Such videos can be seen here and here.

Notably, the IAF did conduct an air show over the Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra in Prayagraj on its final day (February 26, 2025). The actual visuals of the same can be seen here, here and here. 

We were independently not able to verify whether the viral image is genuine or not. However, it is not linked to the recent IAF air show in Mahakumbh. 

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Conclusion

Hence, the viral posts alleging to show the IAF’s Trishul Formation over Mahakumbh Mela on Mahashivratri were found to be false. 

Sources
Facebook Post By @shivchela, Dated March 9, 2019
Facebook Post By @KOELElectricPumps, Dated March 4, 2019
YouTube Video By DD News, Dated January 26, 2025