PM Modi to inaugurate ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ in Varanasi on Saturday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inagurate the month-long "Kashi-Tamil Sangamam" in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday which aims to revive the cultural and historic ties between Varanasi and Tamil Nadu.

The programme was introduced by the Union Ministry of Education in association with IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

The Hanuman Ghat Mohalla in Varanasi, which is colloquially known as " mini Tamil Nadu" and is home to roughly 70 families with roots in Tamil Nadu, has come into spotlight in the lead-up to the event.

Know what Narayan Ganapati said

"Our mohalla (locality) was just like any other in Varanasi. But, with the Sangamam taking place, it has suddenly come into the limelight," said resident Narayan Ganpathi, 45. Ganpathi, who is a fifth-generation local priest said: "We are happy that efforts are being made to revive the cultural ties which only we Tamilian families were keeping alive. Now, the world will be aware of the rich cultural bond between Kashi and TN." Ganpathi said his family was among the 200 families who embarked upon a pilgrimage from Tamil Nadu to Varanasi, some 120 years ago, on foot.

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The connections between Tamil Nadu (TN) and Kashi (Varanasi), according to professors at BHU's department of ancient Indian history, culture, and archaeology, date back more than 700 years.

According to senior BHU professor Pravesh Srivastava, Tamil Nadu has been mentioned multiple times in the context of Varanasi in Indian history.

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