On Saturday, November 15, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma departed for London to begin the process of retrieving the sacred Vrindavani Vastra from the British Museum.
On Sunday, he is anticipated to sign a contract with museum officials for the "homecoming" of the motif-rich silk fabric, which was woven under the direction of neo Vaishnav saint reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva in the 15th and 16th centuries.
It was thought that fragments of the Vrindavani Vastra were brought to Tibet in the 17th and 18th centuries and gathered by British explorers a century later.
The Assam administration has started the process of returning the historic treasure to the state, where it rightfully belongs, according to the chief minister.
An essential component of Assamese history and culture is the Vrindavani Vastra. None of us have seen it, with the exception of a handful who went to the museums in Paris or London.
Before leaving for London, he stated on Facebook Live, "We have only heard and read about it and seen its image in books and online media."
According to the Chief Minister, the JSW Group was instrumental in facilitating communication between the British Museum authorities and the Assam government.
According to him, the organization took on the task of constructing a museum in Guwahati to house the Vrindavani Vastra for display as part of its corporate social duty.
"If all goes according to plan, tomorrow, November 16, we might sign an agreement with them (British Museum authorities) to bring Vrindavani Vastra to Assam in 2027," Mr. Sarma stated.
He added that in order to raise awareness of the saint and his services among Indians, the Assam government would display the Vrindavani Vastra in Delhi and Mumbai.
The Chief Minister stated in August that if the Assam government could build a museum in accordance with the necessary environmental requirements, the British Museum would lend the Vrindavani Vastra for eighteen months.
