Arna-Jharna Desert Museum Rajasthan
A unique 10-acre desert museum showcasing Rajasthan's traditional brooms, musical instruments, and natural landscape.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Seasonal waterfalls & cooler temps
Arna-Jharna Desert Museum Rajasthan
Best Time
Seasonal waterfalls & cooler temps
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A unique 10-acre desert museum showcasing Rajasthan's traditional brooms, musical instruments, and natural landscape.
"An enriching place to explore local music culture and discover fascinating facts about traditional brooms."
📞 Confirm Opening Hours
Some visitors found the museum closed unexpectedly. Call ahead to ensure it's open before your visit.
🚗 Plan Your Drive
The museum is about 25 km from Jodhpur. Factor in travel time and consider a taxi or private vehicle.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Broom Collection
Main Exhibition Area
Discover an extensive array of brooms, categorized by 'male' and 'female' use, showcasing desert craftsmanship.
Traditional Musical Instruments
Exhibition Area
Explore a fascinating collection of folk musical instruments, offering a glimpse into Rajasthan's vibrant music culture.
Desert Flora and Fauna
Museum Grounds
Wander through serene open spaces dotted with cacti and often visited by peacocks, especially during pleasant weather.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Embrace the Desert Vibe
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📞 Confirm Opening Hours
Some visitors found the museum closed unexpectedly. Call ahead to ensure it's open before your visit.
🚗 Plan Your Drive
The museum is about 25 km from Jodhpur. Factor in travel time and consider a taxi or private vehicle.
🌿 Embrace Nature
The grounds are home to cacti and often visited by peacocks. Enjoy the serene desert landscape.
💡 Engage with Staff
The staff are often kind and knowledgeable, eager to share insights about the exhibits.
Tips
from all over the internet
📞 Confirm Opening Hours
Some visitors found the museum closed unexpectedly. Call ahead to ensure it's open before your visit.
🚗 Plan Your Drive
The museum is about 25 km from Jodhpur. Factor in travel time and consider a taxi or private vehicle.
🌿 Embrace Nature
The grounds are home to cacti and often visited by peacocks. Enjoy the serene desert landscape.
💡 Engage with Staff
The staff are often kind and knowledgeable, eager to share insights about the exhibits.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Arna Jharna Desert Museum for its enriching exploration of local music culture and fascinating facts about traditional brooms. The serene desert surroundings, often graced by peacocks and cacti, offer a delightful experience with warm hospitality. However, some travelers have found the location challenging to access and felt the exhibits, while interesting, might not fully justify the travel time and entry fee for everyone.
"An enriching place to explore the local music culture and discover fascinating facts about traditional brooms. The surroundings offer a serene environment with vast open spaces, dotted with peacocks and cacti. A truly delightful experience with warm hospitality and refreshing fresh air—best enjoyed on a pleasant day."
Monika Bohra
"The place is dead . The location is not proper.the door closed..we drove 25 kms for it .luckily a man with a shack called a person inside. The place is a bunch of mud huts with brooms made of various tress and shrubs . Some old vessels. And some musical instruments. The old man was very kind and explained to the best of abilities. The ticket 75 not worth the drive"
Pradeep Seth
"Awesome place to learn about local music culture and interesting facts about brooms. Great environment and large open areas with an abundance of peacocks and cacti. Wonderful experience, friendly people and tonnes of fresh air, especially if you visit on the right day."
Shantha Balaraman
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Arna Jharna Desert Museum is located about 25 kilometers from Jodhpur. You can hire a taxi or arrange for private transportation. Some visitors have noted that the location might not be precisely marked on all navigation apps, so confirming directions beforehand is advisable.
While it's a drive from Jodhpur, the museum is situated in a village called Mokalwas. Some travelers have mentioned it can be a bit tricky to locate, so having a local contact or a reliable GPS is recommended.
For convenience and to ensure you reach the museum without issues, hiring a taxi from Jodhpur is a popular choice. This allows you to relax and enjoy the scenic drive through the desert landscape.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entry fee is reported to be around 75 INR, though some visitors suggest it might not feel entirely worth the drive for the current offerings.
It's highly recommended to confirm the visiting hours before your trip, as some visitors have found the museum unexpectedly closed. Calling ahead is a good practice.
Currently, there is no information available about online ticket booking. Tickets are typically purchased at the entrance upon arrival.
The museum is set in a natural desert landscape with mud huts. While it offers a unique cultural experience, accessibility for individuals with mobility issues might be challenging due to the terrain.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The museum showcases a diverse collection of traditional brooms, folk musical instruments, and artifacts that reflect the culture of the Thar Desert. You can also explore the surrounding natural landscape with cacti and observe local birdlife. +1
The museum is spread across a 10-acre area and features traditional mud huts. While not a sprawling complex, it offers an intimate and enriching cultural experience.
The museum has an extensive collection of brooms, classified by their traditional use in different agrarian zones of Rajasthan, including 'female' brooms for inner spaces and 'male' brooms for outer areas.
While there are no specific dedicated children's activities, the open spaces and the unique exhibits like brooms and musical instruments can be engaging for curious young minds. Schools have organized educational visits here.
Take your time to explore the exhibits and the grounds. Engage with the staff, who are often happy to share their knowledge about the local culture and the items on display.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed within the museum premises, allowing you to capture the unique exhibits and the desert landscape.
The traditional mud huts, the diverse broom collection, and the natural surroundings with cacti and peacocks offer great photographic opportunities.
While not explicitly stated, it's always good practice to be respectful of the exhibits and other visitors. Avoid flash photography if it might damage artifacts or disturb wildlife.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's a chance for kids to see traditional tools and learn about a different way of life. Remember to bring water and sun protection, especially if visiting outside the monsoon season. 🤓 Culture Enthusiasts
🚶 Solo Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Vision of Komal Kothari
+1Kothari's work focused on documenting and revitalizing traditional arts, crafts, and music. The museum, named 'Arna Jharna' meaning 'forest and spring,' reflects his deep connection to the desert ecosystem and its cultural expressions. The collection of brooms, for instance, is not just about tools but about the ingenuity and resourcefulness of desert communities.
Visitors can experience this legacy through the carefully curated exhibits that highlight various aspects of desert life, from musical instruments that echo the sounds of the land to everyday objects that tell stories of tradition and survival. It's a place that invites contemplation on the enduring spirit of Rajasthan's culture.
Exploring the Broom Collection
Each broom is crafted from various local trees and shrubs, showcasing the resourcefulness of the desert inhabitants in utilizing available natural materials. This exhibit offers a fascinating insight into the daily lives, customs, and the subtle gendered divisions of labor that were once prevalent in rural Rajasthan.
Beyond their practical function, these brooms are a form of folk art, reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities and cultural practices of the communities that created them. A visit to this section provides a tangible connection to the past and an appreciation for the often-overlooked aspects of traditional living.
The Desert Landscape and Wildlife
Visitors often report encountering peacocks on the museum grounds, adding a touch of vibrant wildlife to the tranquil setting. The presence of these birds, along with other local fauna, enhances the immersive experience of being in the desert.
During the monsoon season, the area can experience seasonal waterfalls, transforming the landscape and offering a unique spectacle. This makes the monsoon a particularly appealing time to visit for those who wish to witness the desert in a different, more verdant state.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit