New Delhi, Sep 21: Gujarat’s rich cultural traditions, architectural heritage and contemporary achievements have found representation in the eighth edition of the Prime Minister’s Mementos E-Auction 2026, according to the Culture Ministry.The collection features a range of memorabilia reflecting the state’s traditional crafts, textiles, painting traditions, religious architecture, sporting achievements and technological progress.
Among the featured items is an architectural depiction of the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vadnagar, showcasing decorative elements associated with the Ramayana and Mahabharata.The collection also includes a sports memorabilia presented by Gujarat table tennis player Manav Thakkar, who has represented India at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships.
Traditional Gujarati art is represented through a Mata-ni-Pachedi, a textile artwork featuring the Tree of Life, symbolising themes such as knowledge, strength, prosperity and the interconnectedness of living beings.A framed Pithora painting from the Rathwa, Bhil and Bhilala communities of central Gujarat is another highlight.
The artwork features horses, deities and other motifs associated with the cultural and belief systems surrounding Pithora art.The collection also features what the ministry describes as India’s first solar tile, incorporating engraved glass inspired by the Modhera Sun Temple, bringing together Gujarat’s architectural heritage and developments in solar energy.
Other Gujarat-related memorabilia include representations of the Ambaji Temple, Somnath Temple and Dwarkadhish, along with a traditional Bhujodi shawl, Lippan art, a replica model of AIIMS Rajkot and a layered wooden architectural souvenir depicting the Adalaj Stepwell.
A commemorative semiconductor plaque titled “Charkha to Chips”, associated with Tata Electronics, is also part of the collection and highlights India’s growing semiconductor ambitions.The eighth edition of the PM Mementos E-Auction began on September 17, 2026, featuring a total of 1,498 memorabilia items from across the country.
The objects represent India’s diverse artistic traditions, traditional craftsmanship, cultural practices, spiritual heritage and sporting achievements.The auction is being organised by the Ministry of Culture through the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi.
It gives citizens, collectors, institutions and art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire memorabilia presented to the Prime Minister on different occasions.
Proceeds from the auction will be contributed towards the Namami Gange Programme, a national mission focused on the conservation, rejuvenation and protection of the Ganga river and its ecosystem.
The ministry said the PM Mementos e-auction initiative, launched in January 2019, has generated more than Rs 50 crore for the Namami Gange project through its previous editions.
The 2026 auction is being conducted online through the official PM Mementos portal, allowing interested participants to view and bid for the items digitally.
