Kashi Tamil Sangamam returns to Varanasi 28 Nov-12 Dec with a Thirukkural theme

VARANASI: The fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 5.0) will be held from 28 November to 12 December 2026, with Varanasi on the itinerary alongside Prayagraj and Ayodhya, and preparations under way at Banaras Hindu University.

This year the programme is built around the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil text on ethics, under the theme "Thirukkural Payilvom - Thirukkural Abhyas Karen" (Let's learn Thirukkural). For the city, it means Tamil delegations arriving in batches over two weeks, and a chance for local students to take part through their colleges.

When and where: About 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu will come in seven groups of roughly 200 members each. Each group makes an 8-day journey with cultural, academic, domain-specific and spiritual sessions. Applicants from Tamil Nadu can register on the official portal hosted by IIT Madras, kashitamil.iitm.ac.in, until 13 November, in seven categories that include students, teachers, artisans, women and professionals.

For students: The Union Ministry of Education has invited higher education institutions across the country to nominate one student each for a Thirukkural study programme linked to KTS 5.0. In all, 1,000 students will be selected, and each will receive Rs 10,000 as an incentive along with an internship. Interested students at Varanasi colleges should ask their institution about the nomination.

Preparations were reviewed at BHU on 3 November by senior officials of the Union and state higher education departments together with the BHU Vice-Chancellor.

Details are from Akashvani News' report of 25 October, Janwarta's report of 9 November and a UNI report of 3 November.