Himanta Biswa Sarma signs loan agreement with British Museum for Vrindavani Vastra: Read about Assam’s 16th century spiritual and cultural legacy, and how it is coming back

In a major cultural milestone for Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, 17th November, signed a historic agreement with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to bring the sacred Vrindavani Vastra to the state on loan. The document, which was signed during Sarma’s ongoing visit to the UK for the purpose, will allow the centuries-old tapestry to be exhibited in Assam for the first time in history. The CM described the moment as deeply emotional for the people of the state. “It feels like the homecoming of an ancestor,” Sarma said during the signing ceremony. Calling the Vastra a part of Assam’s “collective memory,” he said that generations of Assamese people had heard stories about it in their homes and temples but never seen it in person. The Vrindavani Vastra is not just a textile, it is a symbol of Assam’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, reflecting the devotion and vision of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev. The signing of the Letter of Intent with London British Museum to bring it back home under a… pic.twitter.com/OnxT5See3r— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 17, 2025 “The return of the Vrindavani Vastra, although for a short time, signifies the return of a beloved about whom we have read only in books and scriptures. Every Assamese, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, feels that they have a stake in this heritage,” the CM said. Generations have sung about it in kirtans, many have heard stories about it, read about it but have never seen it.This is why bringing the Vrindavani Vastra to Assam, even if for a limited period of time, feels like one of our ancestors returning home. pic.twitter.com/0OM7UuZjB7— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 17, 2025 Sarma also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for encouraging him to pursue the effort to bring the Vastra back. “Grateful to Adarniya Shri Narendra Modi Ji for his guidance that inspired us to bring the Vrindavani Vastra home,” he posted on

Nov 22, 2025 3

Himanta Biswa Sarma signs loan agreement with British Museum for Vrindavani Vastra: Read about Assam’s 16th century spiritual and cultural legacy, and how it is coming back

In a major cultural milestone for Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, 17th November, signed a historic agreement with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to bring the sacred Vrindavani Vastra to the state on loan. The document, which was signed during Sarma’s ongoing visit to the UK for the purpose, will allow the centuries-old tapestry to be exhibited in Assam for the first time in history.

The CM described the moment as deeply emotional for the people of the state. “It feels like the homecoming of an ancestor,” Sarma said during the signing ceremony. Calling the Vastra a part of Assam’s “collective memory,” he said that generations of Assamese people had heard stories about it in their homes and temples but never seen it in person.

The Vrindavani Vastra is not just a textile, it is a symbol of Assam’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, reflecting the devotion and vision of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev.

The signing of the Letter of Intent with London British Museum to bring it back home under a… pic.twitter.com/OnxT5See3r
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 17, 2025

“The return of the Vrindavani Vastra, although for a short time, signifies the return of a beloved about whom we have read only in books and scriptures. Every Assamese, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, feels that they have a stake in this heritage,” the CM said.

Generations have sung about it in kirtans, many have heard stories about it, read about it but have never seen it.

This is why bringing the Vrindavani Vastra to Assam, even if for a limited period of time, feels like one of our ancestors returning home. pic.twitter.com/0OM7UuZjB7
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 17, 2025

Sarma also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for encouraging him to pursue the effort to bring the Vastra back. “Grateful to Adarniya Shri Narendra Modi Ji for his guidance that inspired us to bring the Vrindavani Vastra home,” he posted on