STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, Feb 22: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a world-class museum in Guwahati that will house the historic Vrindavani Vastra, describing the initiative as a major step in reclaiming Assam’s cultural heritage.
Addressing the ceremony, Sarma said the project marks a significant milestone in the state’s long-standing efforts to bring back the sacred 16th-century textile created under the guidance of Vaishnavite saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardeva.
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He said the artefact will be loaned by the British Museum for public display in Assam for 18 months beginning in 2027, allowing people of the state to witness the revered creation in their own land after centuries.
The chief minister said that since assuming office, he has worked to balance development and heritage preservation, recalling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had advised him to focus simultaneously on “vikas” and “virasat”.
Expressing gratitude to the JSW Foundation for facilitating arrangements with the British Museum and supporting construction of the museum, Sarma said the project would emerge as a major cultural landmark celebrating Assam’s Vaishnavite legacy.
He also emphasised that the initiative reflects the state’s broader commitment to safeguarding its identity and preserving its historical and spiritual heritage.
The Vrindavani Vastra, woven at the request of Koch king Nara Narayan, depicts scenes from the life of Lord Krishna along with verses composed by Sankardeva.
The textile was taken out of Assam more than a century ago, with fragments now housed in museums in London, Paris and the United States.
Officials said the proposed museum complex will provide a dedicated space to preserve and showcase the sacred textile while promoting awareness of Assam’s rich cultural history.
