Arna Waterfall Jodhpur

Arna Waterfall Jodhpur

Arna Jharna Museum (or Arna Jharna - Thar Desert Museum) is a folk museum located in a village called Moklawas near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The museum was opened in 2000 under the aegis of Rupayan Sansthan. It is a museum of folk culture conceived by eminent folklorist and ethnomusicologist, Padma Bhushan Komal Kothari (1929 - 2004). Arna Jharna literally means forest and spring. Its location reflects the terrain of the Marwar region through rocky cliffs, desert cactus and ravines.

The museum depicts the ethnography of Rajasthan through everyday objects that reflect the ecology, intangible heritage and cultural practices of the region and its communities. Kothari had stated that the museum will not house ancient artifacts, precious artefacts or objects of high monetary value. Many aspects of a culture's knowledge and skills are kept alive by communities by passing them on from one generation to the next. Thus, the museum displays objects that explain cultural processes, community relations, and regional contexts. It is also called a living museum where the objects are part of the daily lives of common people.

Establishment of the Museum

Arna Jharna was established in 2000 by Rupayan Sansthan.

Folklorist and ethno-musician Komal Kothari conceived the museum.

It is located in the rocky and desert terrain of Moklavas village, about 15 km from Jodhpur.

Features of the museum

It is also known as the "Arna Waterfall - Thar Desert Museum".

This museum does not display expensive artifacts but objects related to the daily life of the people of Rajasthan, which reflect the ecology and cultural practices of the region.

It is called a 'living museum', where the objects are a part of community life.

It displays the artistic diversity of the bushes of the Thar Desert and the local communities.

Mention in History

Some people claim that there is an ancient Shivalinga associated with the Pandavas near the Arna Falls and that worship was performed there, but this is contrary to the modern history of the museum.

Thus, Arna Falls is primarily famous for its museum, not for any ancient historical event or site.

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