Kashi Tamil Sangamam held in Kashi is strengthening the cultural unity of North and South India. Chief Minister Yogi described this initiative as a symbol of spiritual renaissance, giving a new dimension to national unity through Tamil language, pilgrimage tradition, knowledge and art.
Varanasi. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, organized on the auspicious occasion of Kartik month in Kashi, the sacred city of Lord Shiva, revered in all the three worlds, as a program to strengthen the resolve of One India – Best India. At the inauguration ceremony held in Varanasi, he said that with the inspiration of Prime Minister Modi, the UP government has included Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi and Bengali languages in vocational education. Students will be able to choose the language as per their interest and the government will bear the entire expense. Tamil is giving a new direction to this initiative.
CM said that thousands of devotees from Uttar Pradesh visit Rameshwaram, Madurai and Kanyakumari every year. Now the Tourism Department will run special travel programs through which devotees will be allowed to visit these places at concessional rates. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Kashi Tamil Sangamam has become a symbol of cultural renaissance. He wished for the blessings of Lord Vishwanath, Mata Vishalakshi, Mata Meenakshi, Ganga and Kaveri to be upon everyone.
Welcome to Tamil language and remembrance of ancient cultural ties
The Chief Minister welcomed the guests in Tamil with slogans like Vanakkam Kashi and Har-Har Mahadev. He said that Kashi and Tamil tradition have a deep connection with Lord Shiva. Adi Shankaracharya further strengthened this relationship through the establishment of Peethas in all four directions.
He said that Kashi Yatra will give the guests a unique spiritual experience of Shiva devotion, Prayagraj Sangam and darshan of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya. This year’s theme ‘Learn Tamil’ will strengthen national unity through knowledge, language and culture.
Special significance of car rally starting from Tenkasi
CM Yogi described the car rally that started from Tenkasi (Tamil Nadu) this year as the main attraction of the event. This journey of about two thousand kilometers is a symbol of the ancient relations between Tamil and North India. He also mentioned the Pandya dynasty ruler Adivira Parakrama Pandyan and the Tenkasi Shiva temple tradition.
New heights for knowledge, practice and cultural unity
The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, this program is giving a new direction to knowledge, spiritual practice, pilgrimage tradition and cultural unity. Referring to the Sanskrit verse ‘Ayodhya Mathura Maya Kashi…’ he praised the seven holy cities of India.
Respect for the tradition of Maharishi Agastya, Shankaracharya and Tamil saints
He recalled the Aditya Hridaya Stotra written by Maharishi Agastya and said that the saints of South India—Thiruvalluvar, Ramanujacharya, Adi Shankaracharya and Dr. Radhakrishnan—spread the light of knowledge across the country. He told that Chettiar community has been sending worship material to Kashi Vishwanath temple for two hundred years. Mutual anointment of Koditirtham and Triveni water has now become a monthly tradition.
Tamil tradition still alive in Kashi
CM Yogi said that Tamil culture is still visible at Kedar Ghat, Hanuman Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat of Kashi. The joint educational projects of IIT Madras and BHU are an example of national integration.
He told that the guests will also visit Prayagraj and Ayodhya, where the temple and grand statue of Maharishi Agastya is installed in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex. He said that in the last four years, more than 26 crore devotees have come to Kashi Vishwanath Dham, out of which the largest number has been from Tamil Nadu.
Message from Vice President CP Radhakrishnan
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan described Kasi Tamil Sangamam as a national cultural platform in a video message. He said that it is a confluence of the world’s oldest language and the oldest city. He appreciated the initiative of 50 Tamil teachers to teach Tamil to 1,500 students in 50 schools of Varanasi. He described the Tenkasi-Kashi Agatyar Yatra as a step to strengthen cultural bonds.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam has become a mass movement
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that there is a centuries-old spiritual connection between Kashi and Tamil tradition. He told that the idols of Kashi Vishwanath are still installed in the temples of Tamil Nadu. He praised AI-based translation technology, BHU-IIT Madras collaboration, Tamil teachers’ initiative and the car rally. He also invited the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to attend the event.
Dance on Kalabhairavashtakam and release of Tamil grammar book
Chief Minister Yogi inspected the exhibition, welcomed the guests and honored the artists participating in the program. Under the theme ‘Tamil Karkala- Let’s Learn Tamil’ he released translated editions of the Tamil grammar text Tulakappiyam in 13 languages. The traditional dance on Kalabhairavashtakam was a special attraction in the function, which the guests were seen humming along with.
Many dignitaries including the Governor of Tamil Nadu attended
Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi, Union Minister L. Murugan, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and many dignitaries were present.