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Name board of the Kasi Tamil Sangamam Express between Kanniyakumari and Banaras
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Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2026: Dates, Registration & Venueकाशी तमिल संगमम 2026: तारीख, रजिस्ट्रेशन और स्थल

Upcoming: 28 November – 12 December 2026

By Kashidwar ·

  • Dates28 Nov – 12 Dec 2026
  • Registration closes13 Nov 2026
  • ThemeThirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen
  • DelegatesAbout 1,400 from Tamil Nadu · 7 groups of ~200
  • WhereVaranasi · Prayagraj · Ayodhya · venues to be announced
  • Official portalkashitamil.iitm.ac.in only

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2026 — the fifth edition, KTS 5.0 — runs from 28 November to 12 December 2026, bringing about 1,400 people from Tamil Nadu to Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The Ministry of Education programme celebrates the old ties of learning and pilgrimage between Tamil Nadu and Kashi; this year's theme is the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil text on ethics. Registration is open only on the official IIT Madras portal until 13 November 2026. Here are the dates, who can register, the theme, the venue news and the Tamil places of Kashi worth seeing.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2026 dates and registration last date

The fifth edition, Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0, runs from 28 November to 12 December 2026, with the inauguration on 28 November and the valedictory programme on 12 December. Registration opened on 22 October 2026 on the official portal, kashitamil.iitm.ac.in, hosted by IIT Madras, and closes on 13 November 2026.

Sources: [1] · [2]

What is Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0? The Thirukkural theme

Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a Ministry of Education programme, first held in 2022, that celebrates the old bonds of learning and pilgrimage between Tamil Nadu and Kashi in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. It is organised with IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Chennai, the Uttar Pradesh government and several central ministries, among them Culture, Railways and Tourism.

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The 2026 theme is 'Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen' (Let us study the Thirukkural), the classical Tamil text on ethics. Besides the delegations, Thirukkural experts from Tamil Nadu visit schools and colleges in Varanasi, the National Book Trust holds reading and storytelling sessions in Varanasi schools, and a students' programme runs in about 1,000 higher-education institutions across India.

Sources: [1] · [3] · [4]

Who can register, and how the trip works

Applications are open to people from Tamil Nadu in seven categories: students; teachers; writers and media professionals; agriculture and allied sectors; professionals and artisans; women; and spiritual leaders. About 1,400 participants travel in seven groups of around 200. Each group's journey lasts eight days — four days of travel and four days of visits and programmes in Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, with cultural, academic and spiritual sessions.

  • Register only on the official portal, kashitamil.iitm.ac.in, named in the Ministry of Education's announcement.
  • Job, exam and 'registration' websites that copy the form or ask for a fee are not official: do not pay or upload documents through them.
  • Check group dates and travel details only on the official portal or with the organisers.

Sources: [1] · [4]

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2026 venue and timings in Varanasi

Not officially confirmed — check before you travel

As of 2 November 2026 the venues and times of the inauguration (28 November) and the valedictory programme (12 December) have not been announced; Banaras Hindu University, the coordinating institute in Varanasi, says they will be. The first edition in 2022 was held at BHU and the second, in 2023, at Namo Ghat. This page will be updated once the organisers publish the venue and programme.

Sources: [2] · [3]

Tamil places to see in Kashi

Delegations usually take a holy dip at Hanuman Ghat, once called Rameswaram Ghat, and visit the family home of the poet Subramania Bharati on the ghat. The lanes behind it hold South Indian maths — the Kanchi, Kerala, Sankara and Sringeri maths — and Tamil families who have lived here for generations. A short walk south, Kedar Ghat and the Gauri Kedareshwar temple are the most South Indian corner of Kashi. Visitors in Varanasi during the Sangamam can see these places on their own; please keep to temple customs and do not photograph people bathing.

Sources: [5]

Frequently asked questions

When is Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2026?

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 runs from 28 November to 12 December 2026. The inauguration is on 28 November and the valedictory programme on 12 December.

What is the last date for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 registration?

13 November 2026. Registration opened on 22 October 2026.

How do I register for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2026 online?

Only on the official portal, kashitamil.iitm.ac.in, hosted by IIT Madras. Choose one of the seven categories (students, teachers, writers and media, agriculture, professionals and artisans, women, spiritual leaders). Other sites offering 'registration' are not official.

What is the theme of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0?

'Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen' — studying the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil text on ethics.

What is the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2026 venue?

The programme covers Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The venues and times of the inauguration and valedictory programme in Varanasi have not been announced yet (as of 2 November 2026).

How many people take part, and who can apply?

About 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu, in seven groups of around 200, each on an eight-day journey. Applicants must be from Tamil Nadu and apply in one of the seven categories.

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