About Arna Jharna: The Thar Desert Museum of Rajasthan
Arna Jharna is an open-air folk museum located in Moklawas village near Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Established in 2000 under the aegis of Rupayan Sansthan and envisioned by folklorist Komal Kothari, it showcases traditional knowledge systems of the Thar Desert through everyday objects including brooms, musical instruments, pottery, and puppetry. The 10-acre site features rocky plains, desert flora, and water bodies.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore an open-air museum spread across 10 acres of desert terrain with rocky outcrops, indigenous vegetation, and water bodies. The museum displays collections of over 100 types of brooms, traditional Rajasthani musical instruments, pottery, and puppets. Visitors can walk through earth-red buildings styled like local villages, observe peacocks and bird species, and learn about desert ecology and folk culture through curated exhibits and archives.
Key highlights
- 01
Collection of over 100 types of traditional Rajasthani brooms
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Display of traditional folk musical instruments from western India
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Open-air museum showcasing desert ecology and indigenous flora
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Traditional pottery and puppetry collections
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Archives and library on Rajasthani folklore and ethnomusicology