Arna Jharna: The Thar Desert Museum of Rajasthan
Arna Jharna: The Thar Desert Museum of Rajasthan
Arna Jharna: The Thar Desert Museum of Rajasthan
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
A Celebration of Rural Rajasthan The truly unique Komal Da Ethnographic Museum of Rajasthan lies on the outskirts of Jodhpur city, perching upon the edge of the Aravali mountain range as it descends to the plains of the great Thar Desert. Set against this stunningly beautiful natural landscape, the museum explores the traditional lifestyles of indigenous Rajasthani communities and the deep relationship between them and their natural environment. Unlike traditional museums that confine their collections to rarities, antiques, curiosities, and objects of great historical or artistic significance, the Komal Da Ethnographic Museum focuses on contemporary artifacts from rural societies. Presenting a broad range of artifacts, along with appropriate audio/video recordings, it illuminates the genius of human creativity in the art of survival, as well as the more refined aspects of human culture. Exploring such themes as biodiversity, land and water usage, agriculture, craft groups, religious beliefs, epics, legends, superstitions, fairs, festivals, markets, the performing arts, social interactions between occupational castes, and the transmission of indigenous knowledge down the generations, the museum presents a comprehensive view of rural Rajasthani life. Life in Rajasthan is shaped by differences in the composition of soil, water availability, and climatic conditions. Besides determining the variety of flora and fauna available to communities in a given area, these differing conditions naturally divide Rajasthan into three zones by promoting the agricultural cultivation of three different crops: bajra, jawar, and makka (pearl millet, sorghum, and corn, respectively). The museum structures exhibitions around the comparison of these three zones. Human cultural practices developed in tandem with the annual agricultural cycle of these three major crops. Exhibitions highlight the impact that subsistence living has on all aspects of creative human endeavors. As an example of the museum’s approach, the first exhibit displays brooms from each region. The exhibit surveys the botanical diversity of each zone through the grasses and plants available for the construction of brooms; this also provides insight into contemporary environmental issues (changes in land use patterns and water usage, declining biological diversity, etc.). The exhibit explores the rationale behind the size, shape, and material composition of brooms in relation to the surface the broom is used on (domestic flooring, open ground, cow-dung floors, cement floors, marble floors, etc. – brooms are even used in harvesting grain). It looks at the role of the broom in domestic hygiene. The exhibit examines the development of different manufacturing techniques used in creating brooms, and the distinct craft groups that make them. Reliance on the natural environment for materials to create brooms has resulted in a scarcity situation, elevating the importance of brooms. Further aspects of the role of the broom in society cover rituals involving the worship of brooms, witchcraft, legends & superstitions about brooms, and their artistic usage in paintings, folk tales, epics, and songs. The museum already boasts a collection of about 175 different types of brooms with documentation. Other exhibits follow the theme of staple food zones. The second exhibit displays tools of different crafts.The third exhibit incorporates traditional folk instruments, puppetry and pottery. All future ones, follow the same holistic, interdisciplinary approach to study and presentation that has been outlined above. The museum is built with traditional construction methods, blending in with the environment and creating a harmonious aesthetic appearance. The museum contains space for permanent and temporary exhibits, a full audio/video digital recording studio,a library, space for archives and an open-air auditorium for cultural performances. The grounds of the museum have been beautifully landscaped with desert medicinal plants. The peacefulness and tranquility of the environment quietly casts the spell of Rajasthan upon any visitor, enhancing the appreciation of the resourcefulness of the people who live within it.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
22 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
9
Average
1
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Saloni Bhojani
1 contribution
Oct 2021
Arna Jharna is a living museum where a person can interact and experience within the surroundings. The village-like structure of this desert museum with village objects is a perfect place to understand different communities and their activities. The rainy and winter seasons adds charm to the area, making it the perfect place in the year to visit. Apart from being a broom and musical instruments museum, Arna Jharna has some of the Rajasthani flora and fauna. During the events, the traditional dance and music communities are invited, thus making the place more lively and musical.
The people are also helpful and humble. One should visit the place once.
The people are also helpful and humble. One should visit the place once.
Written 16 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anoopjain72
Bengaluru, India54 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
We went their with our family. Stayed overnight in the camps at this fantastic museum. Nights were cold but early morning was beautiful when you can find all the stars in the sky clearly. Brooms collection was fantastic - it was an eye opener for us that there can be so many types and differ from use as well as region it comes from. Komal kaka has been an inspiration to me and this was like being close to him.
Amazed to know that museum is made of the material from that area only. Have been there few years back and difference which I found this time was its lush greenery and rich flora and fauna retained and grown further. Whole campus is like living on a hill with lots of trekking. Best was sun set where you get a fantastic view of the horizon. Got lots of photographs. Kids learnt a lot rajasthan's art and culture as well as indigenous methods.
Amazed to know that museum is made of the material from that area only. Have been there few years back and difference which I found this time was its lush greenery and rich flora and fauna retained and grown further. Whole campus is like living on a hill with lots of trekking. Best was sun set where you get a fantastic view of the horizon. Got lots of photographs. Kids learnt a lot rajasthan's art and culture as well as indigenous methods.
Written 18 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks you for sharing your honest feeling and recommending for potential visitors.
Kuldeep Kothari
Written 27 March 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eli C
Brighton, UK39 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
This small museum introduces visitors to the desert environment and also to some of the people of Rajasthan via a collections of brushes. It reflects the lifetime work of a collector of oral traditions, and is brought alive by the guided tour. We spent several hours at the museum and would recommend it to anyone with an enquiring mind and a desire to understand more about the people of the area.
Written 10 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sachinjdr
Jaipur, India8 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
I have been an informal part of Rupayan Sansthan who happens to manage this Desert Museum. I have been to this place earlier but I went there with family for the first time on 21 July 2013. It is a great place for a day out with a wonderful experience and information about the culture of the Desert as well. They have created a clean and a nice ambiance of village and have Villagers home like structures that House the cultural belongings. Right from Puppets to Musical Instruments to Brooms and collection of grasses from the region etc. The place is less visited by locals. If in advance, they also arrange cultural evenings with folk artists presenting Music and Dance shows, Puppet shows and can also arrange for Food (local dishes only). They have beverages and snacks arrangement on paid basis and also have a lounge to have Food and rest. You can prepare the Food and bring here as well if you choose. Overall a lovely place. Wish them all the Best.
Written 3 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your kind words.
Kuldeep Kothari
Written 27 March 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dsheen186338
London, UK2 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
well its a unique place, you don't find such museums, very interesting collections, you should visit the Desert Museum when in Jodhpur.
Written 21 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your kind and honest recommendation for the desert museum of rajasthan.
Regards,
Kuldeep Kothari
Written 27 March 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ravirajasthan
jodhpur9 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
Very Nice place to learn about the folk life of rajasthan. Along with the lovely sunset with the pleasure of aerophonic instrument and the glorious evening programme touches the strings of the heart of mine. Wonderful please and good hospitality
Written 5 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We highly appreciate your comments for desert museum of rajasthan.
Kuldeep Kothari
Written 27 March 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
pankej k
Faridabad, India45 contributions
Dec 2016 • Business
A unique rural experience. A walk to see how in an arid area how water is conserved. How people of this area construct their houses and keep them cool in 50-degree centigrade temperature
Written 18 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vilaas
Jodhpur, India815 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
I always recommended our tourist guests to spend a extra night in Jodhpur , take in the Kaylana Lake and further away from it the Desert Museum -Arna Jharna.
Its not far off from any city hotel..and close to hotels like Amargarh Resort,Marugarh,Nirali Dhani..etc.
A place to learn about the various traditions followed in Music , various instruments used and how they came to be.. on display are the famous & colourful puppets of Rajasthan..watch a show ,See the various brooms used in the villages and the significance of the same.
The location is so fresh and gives you a outlook of a Desert.Please carry your mineral water and some snacks for the journey best time to visit, would be after breakfast so you return back to the hotel for Lunch or after tea..
This would be treat for School going children and they can learn & enjoy a lot from this place..they do have Conference room and a presentation facility.Mr.Komal Kothari has given his inputs about the various cultures of Rajasthan in a book written by Rustom Bharucha....both have amazingly described and the book will give you vivid details of Rajasthan ......if in Jodhpur i will visit this place for sure...
Its not far off from any city hotel..and close to hotels like Amargarh Resort,Marugarh,Nirali Dhani..etc.
A place to learn about the various traditions followed in Music , various instruments used and how they came to be.. on display are the famous & colourful puppets of Rajasthan..watch a show ,See the various brooms used in the villages and the significance of the same.
The location is so fresh and gives you a outlook of a Desert.Please carry your mineral water and some snacks for the journey best time to visit, would be after breakfast so you return back to the hotel for Lunch or after tea..
This would be treat for School going children and they can learn & enjoy a lot from this place..they do have Conference room and a presentation facility.Mr.Komal Kothari has given his inputs about the various cultures of Rajasthan in a book written by Rustom Bharucha....both have amazingly described and the book will give you vivid details of Rajasthan ......if in Jodhpur i will visit this place for sure...
Written 26 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank your for your kind appreciation, We hope that your kind words will bring us more people to the desert museum of Rajasthan.
Kuldeep Kothari
Written 27 March 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rathod2017
Bharuch, India876 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
Arna Jharna is not a big place as other places in jodhpur city. but if you have time then you should visit. other wise you can skip this place. but if you want to visit then i suggest you to visit this place in rainy days. beauty of this place will double in this. so many greenery will surround you.
Written 24 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rajeev G
3 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
A picnic hot spot found in the desert of Rajasthan. Good collection of instruments which has been used in early days. Must visit place
Written 20 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time do you open in the morning? We have a train that gets into Jodhpur at 6am and are looking for something to do in the early morning. Thank you!
Written 20 February 2017
We are sorry that we couldn't attend your query regarding opening time of our Museum.
During Summer
(March to October) our opening time is 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
During Winter
(November to February) from 7.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Written 2 August 2019
I would also like to know the time taken to reach the museum from jodhpur station and how long will it take to go around.thanks
Written 19 February 2017
Distance between the two is around 19 km. It will take around 30-35 minutes to reach there. If you go around the entire place, it might take around 1 hour, though depending on weather and number of people you might like to spend more time
Written 20 February 2017
what is the distance of the museum frm jodhpur railway station and what would b the auto fare from there to the museum. thanks
Written 19 February 2017
1. There is no entry fee below five years of age.
2. Transport : Only Auto or Car Taxi
3. There is only cafe at this moment. But we do arrange meals on demand prior to your visit but not less than five.
For booking meals call 9772434111
Written 3 September 2016
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