Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday (19 November) said that both Tamil and Sanskrit originated from Lord Shiva.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi on Saturday, CM Yogi said the Indian culture are equally preserved in Kashi and Tamil Nadu.

"Tamil language has a very ancient and rich literature," he said.

CM Yogi added that among the two languages that emerged from Lord Shiva's mouth, Tamil and Sanskrit are equally known for their literature.

He said that through the Sangamam, people would get to witness the centuries-old bond of knowledge and ancient civilizational connect between the North and the South. 

“Varanasi remains the centre of religion, culture and spiritual consciousness of India. Similarly, Tamil Nadu has been the centre of knowledge, art and culture since ancient times," CM Yogi said.

Emphasising on the religious link between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, CM Yogi said that there is an ancient temple of Lord Vishwanath in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu.

Tenkasi means Kashi of the South, he said.

He further said that the two Jyotirlingas in Kashi and Tamil Nadu are central to Kashi-Tamil Nadu relationship.

“The holy Jyotirlinga installed by Lord Ram at Shri Rameswaram and Lord Adi Vishweshwar in Kashi are worshipped as holy jyotirlingas. These two Jyotirlingas are central to the relationship between Kashi and Tamil Nadu," he said.