Lunuganga Estate Bentota is one of Sri Lanka’s most visited gardens. Enter the garden kingdom of a creative visionary, the private home and garden of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect. A 15-acre former cinnamon and later rubber plantation set by the banks of the picturesque Dedduwa Lake. Take a guided tour of this manicured garden in Bentota to fully appreciate the thinking and vision behind this verdant creation from the mind of a genius.
Just 10 minutes from Bentota, Lunuganga means salt river in Singhalese. The land features a large lake, plant-covered ponds, architectural touches, and a host of green treasures. A project in the making for over 40 years, the plantation transformed under Bawa’s direction and personal vision into his private country garden and home.
Lunuganaga is often described as a garden within a garden, something beyond classification. Some pundits have described it as a European Renaissance Garden with Ceylonese touches. For us, it encompasses all these apt descriptions. It is clearly a true slice of a garden paradise, yet so much more.
Bawa’s country home is now a boutique hotel that visitors can book and stay at. The hotel features ten rooms, including the Geoffrey Bawa Suite, which is the very room used by Bawa himself. The open-air Veranda restaurant overlooks the serene lake and can be booked for a romantic meal of Sri Lankan favourites or Asian fusion.
The garden and house also feature art from other famous Sri Lankan and international artists, such as Laki Senanayake, Lidia Duchini, Fiona Hall, Jimmy Ong, and Michael Ondaatje. More recently, Reena Kallat, Kengo Kuma, Lee Mingwei, Chandragupta Thenuwara, Dayanita Singh, and Dominic Sansoni have all added their artistic touches to the garden through curatorial projects.
Lunuganga Country Estate,
Dedduwa,
Bentota,
Sri Lanka.
Open: Daily.
Tours: The Bawa Trust offers guided tours at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. each day.
Tickets: US$ 15 per person (Prices current for June 2024)
Tel: +94 773 638 381
Email: enquiries@teardrop-hotels.com
Website: Teardrop Hotels