Basketry & Wood Products
Bamboo, cane and wood shaped into objects of everyday life, reflecting indigenous skills and craftsmanship.
Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra · Guwahati
Purbajyoti
Purbajyoti
Sangrahalaya
Every object holds a story.
Discover the rich cultural heritage of Assam and Northeast India through more than 4,000 artefacts at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra. From woven textiles and expressive masks to musical instruments and everyday objects, the museum celebrates the skills, beliefs and creativity of generations.
Established1998
The collectionMore than 4,000 artefacts
Our heritageAssam & Northeast India
About the museum
The objects of everyday life.
The objects of everyday life.
The stories of generations.
Discover the rich material and cultural heritage of Assam and the wider Northeast Indian region.
Purbajyoti Sangrahalaya, an important constituent of Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati, is dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of this shared heritage.
The museum presents a fascinating account of traditional lifestyles, artistic expressions, indigenous technologies and craftsmanship that have evolved across generations. Through its extensive collection of cultural objects, it offers visitors an opportunity to explore the relationship between communities, their environment, everyday practices and creative traditions.
Housing more than 4,000 artefacts, the museum represents the cultural diversity of the region through objects associated with domestic life, agriculture, weaving, music, religious practices, traditional industries and indigenous craftsmanship.
Its collections reflect the artistic excellence of Assam and Northeast India, alongside the knowledge, skills and ingenuity embedded in their living cultural traditions.
Our collections
Eight collections.
Eight collections.
Countless stories.
Explore the material culture, traditional craftsmanship, indigenous technologies and artistic heritage of different communities through eight principal categories.
Bell Metal & Brass Products
Traditional utensils and ceremonial objects celebrating Assam’s enduring metalworking heritage.
Cottage Industry Products
Handcrafted objects revealing the local materials, skills and livelihoods of the region’s communities.
Musical Instruments
Discover the instruments that accompany traditional songs, festivals and performances.
Objects of Sankari Culture
Artefacts reflecting the artistic, spiritual and cultural traditions inspired by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Sattriya Masks
Expressive masks that bring the characters and stories of Bhaona to life.
Terracotta & Clay Art
Pottery and clay objects blending everyday utility with artistic expression.
Textiles & Costumes
Traditional garments and woven fabrics expressing the colours, patterns and identities of diverse communities.
Craftsmanship & living traditions
A connection between
A connection between
past and present.
Understand the region's cultural history through the objects created and used by its people.
From intricately woven textiles and traditional musical instruments to handcrafted utensils, ceremonial objects and indigenous tools, the exhibits reflect generations of accumulated knowledge and craftsmanship.
They illustrate how communities have adapted natural resources to meet practical needs while developing distinctive artistic and cultural traditions.
Together, these collections reveal the close relationship between traditional knowledge, artistic expression and everyday life, highlighting the continuity of traditions that remain integral to the cultural life of the region.
Inside the museum
Look closer. Discover more.
Explore our galleries through photographs of remarkable objects, intricate details and traditions preserved across generations.
24 photographs in the collection
Basketry & Wood Products / 01
Basketry & Wood Products / 02
Basketry & Wood Products / 03
Bell Metal & Brass Products / 01
Bell Metal & Brass Products / 02
Bell Metal & Brass Products / 03
Cottage Industry Products / 01
Cottage Industry Products / 02
Cottage Industry Products / 03
Musical Instruments / 01
Musical Instruments / 02
Musical Instruments / 03
Objects of Sankari Culture / 01
Objects of Sankari Culture / 02
Objects of Sankari Culture / 03
Sattriya Masks / 01
Sattriya Masks / 02
Sattriya Masks / 03
Terracotta & Clay Art / 01
Terracotta & Clay Art / 02
Terracotta & Clay Art / 03
Textiles & Costumes / 01
Textiles & Costumes / 02
Textiles & Costumes / 03
Cultural & educational significance
Traditional knowledge.
Traditional knowledge.
New discoveries.
As an ethnographic and heritage museum, Purbajyoti Sangrahalaya plays an important role in documenting and preserving the tangible cultural heritage of Assam and Northeast India.
Its collections provide valuable opportunities for students, researchers, artisans and general visitors to explore traditional technologies, craftsmanship, cultural practices and the diversity of regional communities.
Beyond preserving historical objects, the museum celebrates the creativity, resourcefulness and collective knowledge of generations of craftspeople. It encourages a deeper appreciation of indigenous traditions and their continuing relevance in contemporary society.
Through its extensive collection, the museum contributes to the larger mission of Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra: to preserve, promote and present the rich cultural heritage of Assam and Northeast India for future generations.
Visitor information
A heritage
A heritage
to discover.
Every object at Purbajyoti Sangrahalaya carries a connection to the people who made and used it. Together, these collections offer a glimpse into the homes, celebrations, beliefs and creative traditions of Assam and Northeast India.
Visit the museum to discover this shared heritage—and the stories that continue to inspire generations.
Find us at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Panjabari, Guwahati, Assam.
- Museum
- Purbajyoti Sangrahalaya
- Museum type
- Ethnographic and Heritage Museum
- Established
- 1998
- Location
- Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Panjabari, Guwahati, Assam
- Collection
- More than 4,000 artefacts
- Principal exhibits
- Masks, musical instruments, textiles, terracotta, traditional crafts, metalwork and Sankari cultural objects