Rajshahi
One of the country's oldest museums, with sculpture and relics of ancient Bengal.
The Varendra Research Museum grew out of the Varendra Research Society, founded in 1910 by local scholars and patrons — among them Sharat Kumar Ray of the Dighapatia family, the historian Akshay Kumar Maitreya and the archaeologist Ramaprasad Chanda — who toured the old Varendra region collecting sculptures and inscriptions before they were lost. It is one of the oldest museums in Bangladesh, and has been run by the University of Rajshahi since 1964.
The red-brick building holds one of the finest collections of early Bengal art in the country: stone and bronze images of Hindu and Buddhist deities from the Pala and Sena periods, terracotta plaques, inscriptions, coins and old manuscripts, alongside later Islamic-era pieces.
It is a compact museum, and the best way to prepare for the region’s ruins — many of the sculptures came from sites such as Paharpur and Mahasthangarh that you can visit later.
Spend the hottest part of the day among the Pala and Sena sculptures.
Eat in the central market and pick up sweets.
Visit the city’s best-known shrine, a short ride towards the river.
End the day on the riverbank as the sun goes down.
Any time of year; a good choice for a hot afternoon. Check opening days before you go
In the city centre: a short rickshaw ride from Shaheb Bazar.
