KASHI TAMIL SANGAMAM (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art & Culture)

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India presided over the inauguration of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 at Namo Ghat in Varanasi.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 

• About: The Kashi Tamil Sangamam is dedicated to celebrating various facets of the historical and civilizational ties between India's North and South.
• Objective: To bridge the knowledge and cultural traditions of both regions, fostering an understanding of their shared heritage and strengthening the people-to-people connection.
• Organized by: Ministry of Education in collaboration with several other ministries, including Culture, Textiles, Railways, Tourism, Food Processing, Information & Broadcasting, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• Umbrella scheme: This programme would be a part of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative.
• Cultural Significance of Kashi Tamil Sangamam

oIn the 15th century, King Parakrama Pandya, ruling the area around Madurai, embarked on a journey to Kashi to acquire a lingam for a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

oWhile returning, a significant event occurred when the cow carrying the lingam refused to move when Parakrama Pandya attempted to resume his journey.

oInterpreting this as a divine sign, Parakrama Pandya installed the lingam under a tree, giving rise to the place known as Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu.

oTo enable devotees who couldn't visit Kashi, the Pandyas constructed the Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Tenkasi, located in southwestern Tamil Nadu near the border with Kerala.

Ek bharat shreshtha bharat

• Launch: It was announced by the Prime Minister on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Nodal Ministry:  Ministry of Education.
• Features: All States and UTs will be covered under the programme.There will be pairing of States/UTs at national level and these pairings will be in effect for one year, or till the next round of pairings.