The Desert Cultural Centre and Museum, just outside the fort walls near the Gadi Sagar road, is a compact museum dedicated to the folk culture of the Thar Desert region. It covers folk music, traditional costumes, the puppet-making craft (Jaisalmer is one of the centres of Rajasthani kathputli puppetry), agricultural tools, and the social customs of the desert communities. The collection is modest but well curated, and the staff are generally knowledgeable and willing to explain pieces in detail.
Evening puppet shows are held at the museum on most days, typically lasting about 30 to 40 minutes. The puppeteers are skilled and the shows cover themes from Rajasthani folk tales and mythology. This is one of the more authentic cultural experiences available in Jaisalmer — more grounded than the folk dance performances at the desert camps. Tickets are inexpensive and can be bought at the door.
The museum is a useful stop if you are walking between the fort and Gadisar Lake. It opens in the morning, closes for a midday break, and reopens in the afternoon through to the evening show.