PM Launches 2nd Kashi Tamil Sangamam

GS Paper I Art and Culture

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam at Namo Ghat, Varanasi.

2nd Edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam: Key Updates

The connection between the two centres of knowledge (Kashi and Kanchi) is evident in the similar themes in literature and the presence of the name Kashi in every village in Tamil Nadu.

Ancient Connect: Kashi and Tamilakam

Divine Intervention: As per Legend, King Parakrama Pandya, ruler of the region around Madurai in the 15th century, wanted to build a grand temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- He travelled all the way to Kashi to bring back the lingam for his temple.
While returning, he stopped to rest under a tree. When he tried to continue his journey, the cow carrying the lingam refused to budge from its spot.
Establishing Sivakasi: Parakrama Pandya understood this to be the Lord’s wish, and installed the lingam there, a place that today is known as Sivakasi.
Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Tenkasi: For devotees who could not visit Kashi, the Pandyas also built the Kasi Viswanathar Temple in what is today Tenkasi in southwestern Tamil Nadu.
People-People Connection: Sant Kumara Gurupara negotiated with the Kashi princely state to consecrate Kedarghat and Vishvesvaralingam in Varanasi. He also composed Kashi Kalambagam, a collection of grammar poems on Kashi.
Other Connections: There were connections between the traders dealing in silk saris and textiles from Bananas and Kanchipuram.

It is part of the government’s ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam programme.’
Aim: To celebrate the many aspects of the historical and civilisational connection between India’s North and South.
- The broader objective is to create an understanding of shared heritage and deepen the people-to-people bond between the North and South regions.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education, in collaboration with other ministries like Culture, Textiles, Railways, Tourism, Food Processing, I&B, etc, and the Govt of Uttar Pradesh.
Implementing agencies: IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University.
It encompasses lectures covering literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, and Ayurveda.
Significance: The endeavor is in sync with NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian Knowledge Systems with modern systems of knowledge.
The first phase of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam was organized from 16th November to 16th December 2022.