Bevis Bawa’s Brief garden – how to get there: map, directions, photos of landmarks

This post contains a map to Bevis Bawa’s Brief garden and images of landmarks mentioned on the map. They are listed in the order of the numbers on the map.

Update with Google Map – 2012

Disclaimer

The map (as you can see from the many ass covering disclaimer on it) is not anywhere near GPS accurate. The map is drawn from memory based on my first visit to Bevis Bawa’s Brief gardens early 2007 – after getting quite lost. The images were taken on a second visit in mid 2007. Things may have changed (even for Sri Lanka).

I make no claims about the accuracy of this information of the safety factors of using this route. You use the information in this post at your own risk. Whatever happens to you is your responsibility. Having said all that, please post any corrections/updates to the route using the comment box below. They will be gratefully welcomed.

1. Mango Tree Junction

The turn off to Dharga town. When I took this photo in mid 2007, there is was a small Buddhist shrine. Chances are it should still be there.

2. Mosque like building

I’m betting that this building IS a mosque. If marks a right turn you have to take. There should be some goats lounging around. I’m not sure how good these animals are as landmarks so I am using the building as a land mark. If in doubt, ask the local humans. The goats looked stoned and seemed only interested in grass.

3. “Brief” garden sign

This sign marks another right turn off in to a narrower road.

Here’s a close up of it

One lane road over marsh

After you pass the “Brief” sign you’ll have to use this one lane road built on a causeway over a marsh. I’m betting that it hasn’t been widened – this IS Sri Lanka after all. There is no room for two vehicles going opposite directions to pass. You’ll have to negotiate with the oncoming vehicle as to who has to back up to the top of the road. I have noticed that some of the locals tend to race madly along in the hope of discouraging oncoming traffic not to get on the causeway. Be careful when reversing. If you go off the road its about 1 metre drop into the mud.

4. Final Turn off to Bevis Bawa’s Brief Garden

This turn off is a hairpin turn to the left that leads you up a narrow road at a 3 way junction. On my first visit there used to be a small blue wooden sign pointing to “Brief”. It wasn’t there on the second visit when this image was taken.

The narrow road – chances are it will not be paved – will lead to the first of the circular drives with the famous sculpted gates. Here is a detail shot:

The arty black and white I’m using here is to cover up the fact that the pictures were badly exposed. Taking out the colour was the only way to get away with it.

Hope you find this post useful. Wish you a safe fun visit. Please let me know how it went. I hope you care to blog about it as well.