Nahid.rajbd · CC BY-SA 4.01 of 5

Museum and gallery, Rajshahi

Varendra Research Museumবরেন্দ্র গবেষণা জাদুঘর

Time needed
One to two hours.
best months
Nov–Feb
Cost
Small entry fee.

The first museum in what is now Bangladesh, opened in 1910 and run today by the University of Rajshahi: stone sculpture, terracotta, coins and inscriptions from the old Varendra region.

At a glance

Founded
1910
Run by
University of Rajshahi

About

The collection began with a local research society that gathered finds from across north Bengal, with support from the Dighapatia zamindars of Natore. Its strength is sculpture: Vishnu, Surya and Buddhist images in black stone, along with terracotta plaques, Arabic and Persian inscriptions, coins and manuscripts.

The red building stands in the middle of the city at Hetem Khan. It is small enough for an hour or two and makes a good start before Puthia or Paharpur, whose finds you will meet here.

Getting there: In the city centre at Hetem Khan, a short rickshaw ride from anywhere in town.

Things to do

  • Spend most of the time in the stone sculpture galleries.

Good to know

  • Check the weekly closing day before you go.

Getting there

Read the Rajshahi guide

Nearby

Mosque and shrineMusfiq munna · CC BY-SA 4.0

Shah Makhdum Dargah

1 km, Rajshahi

The shrine of Shah Makhdum Rupos, the Sufi saint linked with the coming of Islam to the Varendra region, near the Padma in the old part of the city.

River, lake and haorNahid.rajbd · CC BY-SA 4.0

Padma Riverfront

1 km, Rajshahi

The long embankment along the Padma, with Padma Garden and the riverside parks: where the whole city comes out at sunset to walk, eat and watch the river.

Park, eco park and picnic spotKoniiica · CC BY-SA 4.0

Shaheed Kamaruzzaman Central Park and Zoo

2 km, Rajshahi

The city's big family park, laid out on the old British racecourse by the Padma, with a small zoo, lawns, old trees and rides.

Park, eco park and picnic spotGrambangla · CC BY-SA 4.0

University of Rajshahi Campus

4 km, Rajshahi

One of the largest and greenest campuses in the country, founded in 1953 on the edge of the city: tree-lined Paris Road, memorials and open lawns that are good for a slow walk.

Hindu templeTanweer Morshed · CC BY-SA 4.0

Puthia Temples and Rajbari

25 km, Rajshahi

The greatest cluster of old Hindu temples in Bangladesh, built by the Puthia zamindars around their palace and its ponds: the tall Shiva temple, the terracotta Govinda temple, the Pancharatna temple and the 1895 rajbari.

Mosque and shrineAfifa Afrin · CC BY-SA 3.0

Bagha Mosque

31 km, Rajshahi

A ten-domed brick mosque of 1523, built under Sultan Nusrat Shah of the Hussain Shahi dynasty, rich in terracotta and set beside a large old pond about 40 km southeast of the city.

Location

Varendra Research Museum, Rajshahi
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