Chennai, Nov 9 (NationPress) The cultural and educational exchange programme between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), referred to as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, is set to commence its fourth edition from December 2 to 15 this year.

Initiated in 2022, this initiative seeks to revive the ancient civilizational and cultural bonds between Tamil Nadu and Kashi (Varanasi), two regions with profound spiritual, linguistic, and educational ties.

The inaugural edition, which took place in 2022, spanned nearly a month and witnessed enthusiastic participation from scholars, students, artists, and pilgrims from both regions.

The third edition was initially slated for December 2024 but was later rescheduled and conducted from February 15 to 24, 2025. Officials have confirmed that the upcoming fourth edition will kick off in Varanasi on December 2, with the concluding ceremony occurring at Rameswaram, symbolically linking the sacred northern and southern ends of the Indian subcontinent.

This year’s theme, “Learn Tamil”, emphasizes promoting the richness of the Tamil language and its literary legacy among students from northern states.

Educational institutions in Varanasi and Tamil Nadu will organize interactive sessions, language learning workshops, and cultural programmes that delve into Tamil’s classical status, its contributions to Indian knowledge systems, and its linguistic elegance.

The Kashi Tamil Sangamam is part of the broader 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative aimed at enhancing cultural unity and national integration through educational and cultural collaboration between states.

This programme has enabled student exchanges, traditional art exhibitions, spiritual pilgrimages, and research symposiums exploring shared heritage, including connections between Shaivite traditions in Kashi and Tamil temples.

Organizers have announced that this year’s edition will also showcase performances by folk artists, traditional cuisine fairs, and temple heritage tours designed to immerse participants in the living traditions of Tamil and Kashi cultures.

Officials anticipate significant participation from universities, cultural institutions, and government departments of both Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

By honoring the linguistic, spiritual, and cultural connections that have united these two regions for centuries, the Kashi Tamil Sangamam continues to act as a vibrant bridge between the North and South, reaffirming India’s shared civilizational identity.