Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express: Bridging South & North India, Culture & Pilgrimage (2024 Travel Guide)
The honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, ceremonially initiated the Kanyakumari – Banaras ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express’ service on the 17th of December, 2023. The commencement of the inaugural journey, denoted by Train No. 06367 from Kanyakumari, was conducted virtually by the Prime Minister from Varanasi.
In Varanasi, the honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated the commencement of the second phase of the ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ event, which took place from the 17th of December to the 31st of December, 2023. Subsequently, the Prime Minister officially commenced the first journey of the Kanyakumari – Banaras ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express,’ a new weekly train service established to celebrate the illustrious cultural gathering in Varanasi. Dignitaries present at the function included the respected Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, the Honourable Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, and Dr L. Murugan, the Honourable Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying & Information Technology.
An elaborate ceremony took place in Kanyakumari, which included provisions for live broadcasting of the esteemed Prime Minister’s event occurring in Varanasi. The dignified Member of the Legislative Assembly, Shri N. Thalavai Sundaram, was present to honour the occasion.
Ceremonies to commemorate the inaugural journey of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express are taking place at each of the 17 intermediate stops within Tamil Nadu. These welcoming festivities are seeing active involvement from various groups including politicians, government officials, rail commuters, students, and local residents. The stations in Tamil Nadu where these events are being held are as follows: Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchchirappalli, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Chidambaram, Cuddalore Port, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Arakkonam, and Perambur.
The inaugural special Train No.06367, Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express, recorded bookings for 1094 passengers.
Benefits of Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express service:
Historic Connection: The Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express inaugurates a significant railway connection as it initiates the inaugural dedicated passenger train service from Kanyakumari, situated at the extreme south of the Indian subcontinent, to the holy city of Kashi. This rail service marks an important link between two regions that are steeped in cultural heritage.
Pilgrim Convenience: The recently introduced train service aims to facilitate improved travel and accessibility for the considerable contingent of devotees from Tamil Nadu making their pilgrimage to Kashi.
Cultural Bonding: The objective of the service is to enhance the collective cultural legacy and intensify the interpersonal connections linking the southern and northern regions of India through the establishment of connections between these far-flung areas.
Holistic Pilgrimage Route: The railway service facilitates the travel of devotees to key urban centres and sacred locations, including Varanasi, Allahabad (also known as Prayagraj), Banaras (another name for Varanasi), Madurai, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Chidambaram, and Kanchipuram, thereby establishing an extensive network for religious journeys.
Regular services of Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express:
Commencement of No. 16367/16368 Kanyakumari – Banaras – Kanyakumari Kashi Weekly Express will be as follows: from Kanyakumari starting December 28, 2023, on Thursday, and from Banaras starting December 24, 2023, on Sunday.