In a vibrant display of India's ancient cultural unity, Tamil guests performed the sacred Ganga Aarti alongside Namami Gange volunteers at Varanasi's Kedar Ghat on Monday. The event was a highlight of the ongoing fourth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a festival celebrating the deep civilisational bonds between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
Aarti for National Prosperity on the Ghats
The participants sought divine blessings for the happiness and prosperity of India during the ceremony. Visitors from Tamil Nadu expressed being deeply moved by the experience of worshipping Maa Ganga and performing the aarti, an act seen as strengthening the shared cultural heritage of the two regions. The event was not only spiritual but also action-oriented, with the Tamil guests actively contributing to the cleanliness of the holy river as part of their participation.
Learning Tamil and Spiritual Chants
Aligning with the theme ‘Chalo Tamil Seekhen - Tamil Karkalam’ for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, devotees present at the ghat were introduced to words from the Tamil language, creating a unique cultural exchange on the banks of the Ganga. The gathering also resonated with collective spiritual recitations. With wishes for a healthy India, the attendees performed a collective recitation of the Dwadash Jyotirlinga and Gangashtakam.
Holding national flags, the participants took a solemn pledge dedicated to the cleanliness of the Ganga and the broader cause of environmental conservation.
Officials Hail Shared Heritage and PM's Vision
Rajesh Shukla, the coordinator of Namami Gange for the Kashi region and a cleanliness brand ambassador for the municipal corporation, addressed the profound connection between the two regions. He stated that both Kashi and Tamil Nadu are imbued with the presence of Lord Shiva, and the grace of Vishweshwar (of Kashi) and Rameshwaram (in Tamil Nadu) is equal. "Ram is everywhere, Mahadev is everywhere. The cultural heritage of Kashi and Tamil Nadu is shared," he emphasized.
Shukla credited the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Sangamam, stating it is providing energy to eliminate language barriers. He said the fourth edition aims to send a powerful message across the country: all Indian languages are our languages and are part of one large Indian language family.
The event saw the presence of several notable personalities, including Swami Paripurnananda Saraswati, Swarupa, Annapurna, Vijayashree, Kannamma, Phani Sharma, and Kartik Sharma.
