Uttar Pradesh
Holy Water Exchange Programme
- 30 Jul 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
On the third Monday (28th July 2025) of the sacred Shrawan month, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a historic holy water exchange programme between the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Shri Rameswaram Jyotirlinga.
Key Points
- Background: The exchange programme is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Kashi-Tamil Sangamam initiative, aimed at fostering closer ties between the people of Kashi (Varanasi) and Tamil Nadu.
- Sacred Water and Sands Exchange: The exchange involved urns filled with sacred water and sands: from Prayagraj's Triveni Sangam (Holy confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati) and Rameswaram Kodi Tirtham (Sacred water from the Rameswaram temple in Tamil Nadu).
- These were exchanged between the representatives of the Devakottai Zamindar Family Trust (DZFT) of Shri Rameswaram Jyotirlinga and officials of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust.
- The exchanged water will be used for the 'Jalabhishek' (ritual bathing) of both Lord Vishwanath and Lord Ramanathaswamy.
- Future Rituals: The Jalabhishek of Lord Vishwanath will take place on Shrawan Purnima, 9th August 2025, using the water brought from Rameswaram.
- Significance: This initiative strengthens the connection between Kashi and Tamil Nadu while reviving and preserving a sacred tradition for future generations, as described in the scriptures.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam
- About: It is a cultural initiative that aims to celebrate the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties and strengthen the ancient civilizational bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi (Varanasi).
- The event aligns with the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, emphasizing the integration of India’s diverse cultural heritage.
- The 3rd edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 3.0), a cultural confluence between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, took place in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in February 2025.
- Historical Significance:
- The historical ties between Kashi (Uttar Pradesh) and Tamil Nadu date back to the 15th century when King Parakrama Pandya of Madurai traveled to Kashi to bring back a sacred lingam for his temple (Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu).
- The Pandya rulers also established the Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Tenkasi, located in southwestern Tamil Nadu, near the Kerala border.
- This deep-rooted spiritual and cultural connection underscores the essence of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam initiative.
