Varendra Research Museum
বরেন্দ্র গবেষণা জাদুঘর
Bangladesh's oldest museum, holding Pala-Sena period black stone deities, Indus Valley artifacts and ancient coins. It is the first stop for understanding the island's ancient history.
The Varendra Research Museum was founded in 1910 by local nobles and scholars. Since 1964 it has been managed by Rajshahi University, and it is the oldest museum in Bangladesh. Its collection focuses on artifacts excavated in the Varendra region, the ancient name for northwestern Bengal. The black basalt images of Vishnu, Shiva, the Buddha and Tara from the Pala and Sena dynasties (8th–12th centuries) are especially fine. Other holdings include objects from Mohenjo-daro, terracotta panels from the Paharpur site, stone inscriptions in Sanskrit and Arabic-Persian, and Islamic-era coins and manuscripts. The building itself is a red-brick structure that blends Hindu and Islamic elements. Many galleries prohibit photography, so watch for signs. The museum is usually closed on Thursdays and opens on Friday afternoons. Foreign visitors pay higher admission than local visitors. It is in the city center, within walking distance of the Padma riverside.
Opening hours
About 10:00–17:00; closed Thursdays; open Friday afternoons (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Shah Makhdum Ruposh Dargah
- Padma River Promenade
- Shaheed A.H.M. Qamaruzzaman Central Park & Zoo
- Rajshahi Silk (Sopura Silk Mills)
- University of Rajshahi Campus
- Puthia Temple Complex
- Bagha Mosque
- Kusumba Mosque