Founded in 1910 by Kumar Sarat Kumar Ray of the Dighapatia royal family, Akshay Kumar Maitreya, and Ramaprasad Chanda, the museum is maintained by the University of Rajshahi. The collection spans Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain stone and metal sculptures from the Pala-Sena period, medieval Islamic coins, epigraphs, and ancient pottery.
- Best time
- Year-round
- Give it
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Admission ৳20 for Bangladeshis, ৳100 for SAARC citizens, ৳200 for other foreign visitors; rickshaw from Shaheb Bazar about ৳30
How to get to Varendra Research Museum
Located in the Hatem Khan area of Rajshahi city, an easy rickshaw ride from Shaheb Bazar or the railway station.
Rajshahi town is about 250 km from Dhaka, around 5.5 hours by road. Every way to get there is in the Rajshahi guide.
Closed on Thursdays and Fridays; open Saturday to Wednesday 10 am to 5 pm.
More to see in Rajshahi
Photo: Khalidrahman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Puthia Temple Complex পুঠিয়া মন্দির চত্বর
A historic cluster of 19th-century Hindu temples and a royal palace set around large ponds in Puthia.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free entry to temple exteriors; small fee for palace grounds; bus from Rajshahi about ৳40–50 each way
Photo: Porag61, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Bagha Mosque বাঘা মসজিদ
A ten-domed terracotta mosque built in 1523 by Sultan Nusrat Shah, famous for its detailed carved motifs.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free entry; direct bus from Rajshahi about ৳60–80 each way
Photo: Nur Asad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Bara Kuthi বড় কুঠি
The oldest standing colonial building in Rajshahi, built in the first half of the eighteenth century as a Dutch silk trading post.
- Best time
- Year-round
- Give it
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free to view from the outside; rickshaw in town about ৳30
Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Padma Riverfront পদ্মা নদীর পাড়
The wide riverside promenade along the Padma, popular for evening strolls, sunset boat rides, and street snacks.
- Best time
- October to March, especially late afternoon for sunsets
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free access to the promenade; country boat rides ৳200–500 per boat