Varanasi, December 1 (NationPress) - The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, is set to partake in the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS), scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, in the sacred city of Varanasi.

This initiative builds upon the achievements of prior editions, aiming to enhance the cultural and intellectual connections between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, embodying the essence of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat”.

The official inauguration at Namo Ghat will also see the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K. Kailash Nath, along with various other prominent figures and dignitaries.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is anticipated to visit the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Kaal Bhairav Temple for darshan. This year, more than 1,400 delegates are projected to attend the event.

The theme for KTS 4.0 is “Let us Learn Tamil - Tamil Karkalam”, promoting the idea that all Indian languages are intertwined and part of one Bharatiya Bhasha family.

This initiative seeks to spread Tamil across various regions of the nation, symbolizing cultural unity and the sharing of ancient wisdom preserved in classical Tamil literature with other Indian languages.

It celebrates India's linguistic diversity and unity while showcasing the rich heritage of the Tamil language and its literature.

Traditional artists from Tamil Nadu will collaborate with local artists in Varanasi to deliver a spectacular performance that highlights India's varied cultural legacy.

On Saturday, a dedicated train journey commenced from Kanyakumari to Varanasi, transporting the first group of students participating in KTS 4.0. This cohort included 43 students from Kanyakumari, 86 from Tiruchirappalli, and 87 from Chennai.

They are expected to arrive in Varanasi on Tuesday, and after a brief exploration, they will join the inaugural event that evening.

Upon their arrival, the Tamil Sangamam delegates will first visit Hanuman Ghat for a sacred dip in the Ganga, followed by visits to temples tied to South Indian traditions and learning about their historical importance.

They will also tour the Kashi Vishwanath Dham and receive prasad at Maa Annapurna Rasoi. Subsequently, the group will explore the renowned Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to participate in academic sessions and discover significant locations on the university grounds.

The inaugural edition of KTS was conducted from November 16 to December 15 in 2022 by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Uttar Pradesh government.

Over 2,500 participants from Tamil Nadu, representing various sectors, traveled to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya during an eight-day tour. KTS 2.0 took place from December 17-30 in 2023 at Namo Ghat in Varanasi, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This event was notable for featuring the first-ever real-time, app-based translation of Prime Minister Modi's speech into Tamil for the attending delegates.

The third edition occurred from February 15-24 this year, emphasizing the legacy of Sage Agasthyar while linking Indian knowledge traditions with modern discourse. Around 1,000 delegates from Tamil Nadu participated, including an additional 200 students from various Central Universities.