The Ministry of Culture has put on online auction 37 mementos representing Rajasthan’s cultural and artistic heritage as part of the eighth edition of PM Mementos e-Auction 2026. The collection spans folk deities, traditional paintings, textiles, architectural landmarks and sporting achievements from across the state. The auction runs until 2 October 2026 on the official PM Mementos e-Auction portal.
Key facts
- 37 artefacts from Rajasthan in the auction catalogue
- Auction live until 2 October 2026
- Items include wooden elephants with howdahs, silver statues of folk deities, traditional paintings and textiles
- Heritage sites represented: Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Brahma Temple Pushkar, Mangarh Dham Banswara
- Folk figures featured: Veer Tejaji Maharaj, Kaila Mata, Sundha Mata, Khema Baba
- Paintings include Pichwai, Phad and Pattachitra styles
- Registration and participation details available at pmmementos.gov.in
What the collection contains
The mementos fall into several categories showcasing different aspects of Rajasthan’s identity. Wooden handicraft pieces include handcrafted elephants with decorative howdahs carved with traditional patterns, and a procession set depicting a royal elephant with ceremonial attendants, reflecting the state’s royal heritage.
Religious and folk art forms a major section. Silver and silver-plated statues depict Veer Tejaji Maharaj, the revered folk deity, on horseback with his characteristic spear and snake motif. The collection also holds Pichwai paintings of Shrinathji from the Nathdwara tradition, Phad paintings showing Lakshmi and Narayan, and Pattachitra-style artwork portraying Krishna Raas Leela. These represent different regional styles of devotional art and storytelling.
Architectural and shrine heritage is represented through hand-painted and framed depictions of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, capturing both its architectural character and its role as a pilgrimage site welcoming devotees of multiple faiths. Paintings and artefacts also feature other significant religious sites: Brahma Temple in Pushkar, Kaila Mata of Karauli, Sundha Mata, Khema Baba shrine in Baytu, Mangarh Dham in Banswara, and Shri Kalyan Raiji Maharaj.
Textile and ornamental traditions are showcased through decorated turbans featuring stone and feather brooches, a yellow pagdi with multicoloured motifs, and angavastras with gota borders, demonstrating Rajasthan’s weaving and embellishment crafts.
Contemporary and historical items include framed newspaper editions related to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha and a decorative plate artwork issued by BJP Rajasthan, linking traditional heritage to recent events and modern institutional memory.
How PM Mementos e-Auction works
PM Mementos e-Auction is an annual online platform through which the Ministry of Culture auctions artefacts and memorabilia from across India that represent the nation’s cultural diversity and heritage. Items are typically sourced from government collections, cultural institutions and donations. The eighth edition focuses on Rajasthan, bringing together pieces that illustrate the state’s folk traditions, religious practices, artistic styles, textile heritage and historical significance.
Participation in the auction is open to registered bidders. Detailed information about registration, bidding procedures, terms and the full catalogue of items is available on the official portal at pmmementos.gov.in.
What this means for you
If you are a collector, art enthusiast, museum curator, cultural institution or investor interested in Indian heritage, this auction offers an opportunity to acquire authenticated Rajasthani cultural pieces. The range spans affordable textile items and decorative plates to significant fine art and handicrafts, allowing participation at different budget levels.
For students and researchers studying Rajasthan’s cultural traditions, folk art, devotional practices and textile heritage, the detailed catalogue serves as a documented reference of important cultural artefacts.
For those interested in supporting cultural preservation, purchasing items from government-led auctions like this supports continued documentation and conservation efforts by cultural institutions.
What happens next
The auction closes on 2 October 2026. Interested participants should visit pmmementos.gov.in to view the complete catalogue, register for bidding, and participate before the deadline.