The Ministry of Culture has placed 89 mementos representing Maharashtra’s cultural heritage, historical figures, artistic traditions and contemporary achievements in the PM Mementos e-Auction 2026. The online auction, now live, showcases sculptures, paintings, religious artefacts, sports memorabilia and architectural models that span the state’s diverse legacy from its spiritual traditions to modern infrastructure projects.
This is the eighth edition of the PM Mementos e-Auction, a scheme through which the government sells cultural items, gifts and representative pieces to the public. The Maharashtra collection reflects the state’s contribution to Indian history, art, sports and development.
Key facts
- Total mementos in the collection: 89 items
- Auction deadline: 2 October 2026
- Online platform: pmmementos.gov.in
- Items include sculptures, paintings, woodcuts, framed artworks, scale models, signed sports equipment and commemorative pieces
- Sports memorabilia feature signed badminton racket from para-badminton player Sukant Kadam and shot put belonging to Sachin Khilari (Paris 2024 Paralympics)
- Infrastructure models include Vadhavan Port, Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project and Navi Mumbai International Airport
- Prominent themes: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bhakti saints, Warli tribal art, and social reformers
What the collection contains
The mementos span multiple categories of Maharashtra’s identity. A significant portion focuses on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th-century Maratha warrior-king, represented through statues showing him on horseback, seated on a throne, with a lion and in ceremonial dress. The collection also includes a scale model of Meghadambari, a fortress structure at Raigad Fort associated with his legacy.
Another section celebrates Maharashtra’s Bhakti movement, a devotional tradition that shaped the state’s spiritual character. Mementos depict Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar with traditional musical instruments and in meditation poses, reflecting their importance in regional religious life.
Indigenous art forms receive dedicated representation, particularly Warli art, a geometric painting style practised by tribal communities in western Maharashtra. The auction includes Warli paintings on cloth, hand-painted works on maroon fabric, and a combined portrait of tribal leader Birsa Munda with Warli motifs. These pieces illustrate how the art form documents rural life, farming, celebrations and community traditions.
The collection also honours Maharashtra’s social reformers and historical leaders: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who authored India’s Constitution; Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a freedom struggle leader; Ahilyabai Holkar, an 18th-century ruler; and Peshwa Bajirao I, who led the Maratha Confederacy.
Contemporary achievements represented
Beyond heritage, the mementos document Maharashtra’s modern accomplishments. Signed sports equipment from athletes who represented India at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games reflect the state’s contribution to Indian sports. Architectural models represent major infrastructure projects: Vadhavan Port in the Arabian Sea, designed to boost maritime trade; the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project for transport connectivity; and Navi Mumbai International Airport, a major aviation hub under development.
How the e-auction works
The PM Mementos e-Auction is a Ministry of Culture initiative to make cultural items and representative pieces accessible to collectors, museums, institutions and the public. Interested bidders can register on the official platform pmmementos.gov.in to participate. The online bidding format allows people across India to compete for items without travelling to a physical location.
What this means for you
If you are a collector, cultural institution, museum or someone interested in Maharashtra’s heritage, you can bid for authentic mementos reflecting the state’s history and contemporary identity. The auction provides an opportunity to acquire signed sports memorabilia from Paralympians, traditional artworks and architectural models at transparent, competitive prices. Winning bids support government cultural initiatives.
For researchers, educators and students, the collection serves as a documented snapshot of what the government considers representative of Maharashtra’s cultural identity and achievements at a particular moment in time.
What happens next
The auction closes on 2 October 2026. For auction dates, participation details and to view the complete catalogue, visit pmmementos.gov.in.