Patrika Gate

Patrika Gate is a modern gateway at the entrance to Jawahar Circle, a large circular park near Jaipur International Airport in Rajasthan. Built by the Rajasthan Patrika newspaper group in a traditional Rajasthani style, Patrika Gate has arches, pillars and ceilings covered from top to bottom in hand-painted murals of the history, architecture and culture of Rajasthan's regions.

Patrika Gate is newer than almost anything else on a Jaipur itinerary, completed in the 2010s, but it draws on old ideas: the gateway as a grand entrance, and the painted walls of havelis in Shekhawati. Each bay of Patrika Gate is given to a different city or region, from Jodhpur and Udaipur to Jaisalmer, and together they work as a picture book of the state. Its colourful corridors have made it one of the most photographed places in Jaipur.

What to see

• The painted corridors, each bay dedicated to a Rajasthani city or region
• Ceilings with mandala-like patterns in bright blue, pink and gold
• The central arch framing Jawahar Circle park, one of the largest circular parks in Asia
• The park itself, with lawns and walking paths busy with joggers in the evening

What to wear

Patrika Gate has no dress code. Many visitors come dressed for photos, and bright colours stand out best against the murals. The open plaza is hot by day, so bring a hat. It is a good place to see Rajasthani dress in pictures: the murals show safa turbans, ghagra skirts and odhni veils, and local photo sellers rent out outfits.

Local food to try

Jawahar Circle is in Malviya Nagar, south Jaipur, where modern cafes sit alongside sweet shops. For Rajasthani food, try pyaaz kachori, bajre ki roti and ker sangri, and finish with a mawa kachori or ghevar. The snack carts outside the park in the evening sell chaat and golgappa. Most food here is vegetarian.

Good to know

• Best from October to March; come at opening for empty corridors
• Open during daylight hours; confirm locally as it closes occasionally
• Free entry
• Allow 30 to 45 minutes
• About 3 km from Jaipur International Airport and 10 km from the walled city
• Tripods and professional shoots may need permission

Nearby places

Patrika Gate is an easy first or last stop on the airport road. The City Palace and the shops of Johari Bazaar are about 30 minutes north, and Chokhi Dhani, for an evening village dinner, is a short drive south.