Photo of Varendra Research Museum — Nahid.rajbd · CC BY-SA 4.0
Destination guide
Varendra Research Museum
বরেন্দ্র গবেষণা জাদুঘর
Bangladesh's first museum, in the heart of the city at Hetemkha, right across from Rajshahi College. Thousand-year-old Pala and Sena deity sculptures, Buddhas, terracotta plaques from Paharpur, and coins from the Mauryan to Mughal eras — over a thousand objects on display from a collection regarded as among the richest archaeological holdings in South Asia.
History & significance
Founded in 1910 as the Varendra Research Society by Sarat Kumar Ray, Akshay Kumar Maitreya and Ramaprasad Chanda. The society's own building rose in 1913 and opened its doors in 1919; the 1923 excavation at Paharpur brought 256 artefacts here. Rajshahi University has run it since 1964. Guides differ on collection size — the acting director says over 17,000 objects, others nearer 9,000.
How to get there
About 800 m — walking distance — from Zero Point, Saheb Bazar. From anywhere in the city, tell a rickshaw-puller 'Hetemkha Jadughar Mor' and you will be dropped at the gate for around ৳30–40. Many walkers come from the railway station past Rajshahi College.
Entry fee
৳20–200 · verified
Bangladeshi adults ৳20, foreign visitors ৳200; children need no ticket.
Opening hours & best time
Saturday to Wednesday, 10:00–17:00; closed Thursday and Friday, and on government holidays.
Best time
A winter morning; on ordinary days it is uncrowded and the whole museum takes an hour or two.
Traveller tips
Photography is not allowed inside — save the camera for the flowery courtyard and veranda.
Remember the Thursday closure, or you will be turning back at the gate.
Books on the region's archaeological heritage are sold inside — a collector's treat.
With children, use the garden seating outside; drinking water is available at the front.
On quiet days the staff volunteer explanations — don't hesitate to ask.