**Executive Summary**
The Indian Railways is operating seven special trains between Tamil Nadu and Banaras for the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 to strengthen cultural bonds between the regions. Services began on November 29, 2025, with departures scheduled throughout early December and return services scheduled throughout early-to-mid December, 2025. This facilitates large-scale participation in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 cultural immersion program.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Train Operations:**
* Indian Railways is operating seven special trains between Kanniyakumari, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Banaras.
* The purpose is to facilitate participation in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0.
* The trains ensure seamless travel, comfortable connectivity, and timely arrivals.
* The first train departed from Kanyakumari on November 29, 2025, followed by Chennai departure on December 2, 2025.
* Other departures are scheduled from Coimbatore (December 3 & 9), Chennai (December 6 & 12), and Kanyakumari (December 7).
* Return services are scheduled from Banaras for Kanyakumari (December 5 & 13), Chennai (December 7, 11, & 17), and Coimbatore (December 9 & 15).
* **Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0:**
* This edition is centered on the theme “Let Us Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam".
* It promotes linguistic and cultural exchange.
* Initiatives include Tamil learning in Varanasi schools, study tours for students from Kashi to Tamil Nadu, and the Sage Agastya Vehicle Expedition.
* It embodies the essence of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
* **Organizational Roles:**
* Ministry of Education is the anchor.
* IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University are the principal knowledge partners.
* Ten ministries, including Railways, are participating.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Participants of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0**
* **Impact:** Facilitates travel and participation in the cultural program.
* **Action Required:** Plan travel based on the provided train schedules.
**Stakeholder: Residents of Tamil Nadu and Kashi**
* **Impact:** Opportunity for cultural exchange and learning.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the various initiatives (Tamil learning, study tours, etc.).
**Stakeholder: Indian Railways**
* **Impact:** Plays a central role in connecting diverse regions and reinforcing shared heritage.
* **Action Required:** Effectively operate and coordinate the special train services.
Key Entities Referenced
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0: A program to strengthen cultural bonds between the Tamil-speaking region and Kashi, promoting cultural exchange.
Indian Railways: Operator of special trains for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, facilitating travel and cultural exchange.
Tamil Nadu: One of the regions participating in Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, with special trains originating from its cities.
Banaras (Kashi): The other region participating in Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, receiving special trains.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: The initiative under which Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 operates to encourage appreciation of diverse cultures.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways Operates Seven Special Trains
from Tamil Nadu to Banaras for Kashi Tamil
Sangamam 4.0
प्रव तथ: 02 DEC 2025 2:51PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Railways is operating a series of seven special trains between Kanniyakumari, Chennai,
Coimbatore and Banaras to facilitate large-scale participation in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0,
strengthening cultural bonds between the Tamil-speaking region and the ancient spiritual hub of Kashi.
These special trains have been scheduled to ensure seamless travel, comfortable long-distance
connectivity, and timely arrivals for participants attending the multi-day cultural immersion programme.
The services began with the first train departing from Kanyakumari on 29 November 2025. This was
followed by an additional special departure from Chennai today. The next departures are scheduled from
Coimbatore on 3 December, from Chennai on 6 December, from Kanyakumari on 7 December, from
Coimbatore on 9 December, and another service from Chennai on 12 December 2025. With these planned
departures, a total of seven special trains will operate from Tamil Nadu’s key originating cities to Banaras
in a well-coordinated and phased manner.
Kanniyakumari - Banaras special train operated by Southern Railway became the
most significant catalyst of this year’s Kashi Tamil Sangamam—uniting delegates,
enabling cultural exchange, and turning the journey itself into a memorable
celebration.#KashiTamilSangamam4… pic.twitter.com/XHLFwHTjcS
— DRM Thiruvananthapuram (@drm_tvc) December 2, 2025
To ensure timely return travel, Indian Railways has arranged a series of special return services from
Banaras. These include departures for Kanyakumari on 5 December, Chennai on 7 December, and
Coimbatore on 9 December, followed by additional return services scheduled for Chennai on 11
December, Kanyakumari on 13 December, Coimbatore on 15 December, and again for Chennai on 17
December 2025.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, beginning today, continues the long-standing cultural connection between
Tamil Nadu and Kashi. This edition is centred on the theme “Let Us Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam,”
promoting linguistic and cultural exchange between the two regions through Tamil learning initiatives in
Varanasi schools, study tours for students from the Kashi region to Tamil Nadu, and the symbolic Sage
Agastya Vehicle Expedition from Tenkasi to Kashi.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 embodies the essence of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, encouraging people
to understand and appreciate the richness of cultures beyond their own. Anchored by the Ministry of
Education, with IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University serving as the principal knowledge partners,and participation of ten ministries including Railways, brings together students, artisans, scholars, spiritual
leaders, teachers and cultural practitioners of the two regions together, facilitating exchange of ideas,
cultural practices and traditional knowledge between them.
By running these seven special trains and coordinating a meticulously planned, culturally rich itinerary,
Indian Railways is playing a central role in connecting diverse regions of the country and reinforcing the
shared heritage between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Manik Sharma
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2197516) आगंतुक पटल : 851
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