Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum, State museum in Itanagar, India

The Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum is a state museum in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, displaying traditional tribal artifacts, clothing, jewelry, and tools from communities across the state. The collection is spread across two exhibition floors and also covers archaeological finds from excavation sites in the region.

The Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum was established in the 1980s to document the tribal life of Arunachal Pradesh. Its collection later grew to include archaeological objects from Ita Fort, Noksparbat and Malinithan in West Siang district. In 2011, mountaineer Tapi Mra donated his Everest expedition gear to the museum.

The ground floor displays wooden carvings, religious objects, and traditional art forms that were actually used in ceremonies and daily life by communities across Arunachal Pradesh. Walking through this section gives a direct sense of how craftsmanship and ritual are still deeply connected in the region.

The museum has a handicrafts workshop and shop where visitors can buy traditional items made by local artisans on-site. Since the displays cover two floors, it is worth setting aside enough time to go through each section without rushing.

After reaching the summit of Mount Everest in 2011, mountaineer Tapi Mra from Arunachal Pradesh donated his complete expedition gear to the museum. This personal equipment sits alongside the tribal collections, connecting the state's ancient traditions with a very recent story of individual achievement.