Hindu Groups Seek Return of Bhojshala Saraswati Idol from British Museum to India!

Several Hindu organizations have approached the court seeking the return of the idol of Goddess Saraswati, also known as Vagdevi, currently housed in the British Museum. The demand comes after the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently ruled that the Bhojshala site belongs to the Vagdevi temple. Following the verdict, temporary installation and पूजा rituals for the deity have begun at the site. Petitioners stated that the idol is more valuable to them than the Kohinoor diamond due to its deep cultural and religious significance.

Hindu groups have also written to the Central Government, Archaeological Survey of India, and the Madhya Pradesh Government urging diplomatic efforts to bring the idol back from the United Kingdom. One of the petitioners, Kuldeep Tiwari, said the idol represents both India’s cultural heritage and religious faith. Historical records suggest that the Saraswati temple at Bhojshala was built in 1034 by Raja Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty and was later damaged during Alauddin Khilji’s invasion of the Malwa region in 1305.