Kausani is a lush green hill station located at an elevation of 1890 m above sea level in the Kumaon Himalayas. It is a site known for panoramic views of the snow covered Himalayas, lush green valleys, chirping of birds, bubbling creaks and alpine forests. Kausani has been gifted by mother nature with the most beautiful lands.
Kausani provides an excellent view of about a 350 km stretch of Himalayas. Some of the major peaks you can see from Kausani are Trishul, Nanda Devi, Panchachuli etc. The majestic view of the Greater Himalayas Range is invigorating and kindles a kind of hope in the heart of the visitors. The sun turns the snow-clad peaks to gold in the morning and the sunset. The sky turns red orange giving a divine touch to the view from Kausani.
Kausani is an ideal weekend destination and attracts nature lovers and adventurers from all over the world. It is a perfect getaway for honeymooners and those who are seeking a calm place to escape the super fast lives of metropolis.
The reason of being so famous among several beautiful destinations of Kumaon region in Uttarakhand is that Kausani was visited by popular celebrities in the past and they were really attached with this place due to its natural beauty, peace and calm environment. Mahatma Gandhi stayed at Kausani and the guest house where he stayed is presently known as the Anashakti Ashram. This place impressed him so much that he called it "Switzerland of India".
Kausani is the birth place of famous Hindi poet Shri Sumitra Nandan Pant who gave his incredible contribution towards Hindi literature. He basically described the nature in his poems and compositions where he presented the nature in its different forms.
Kausani is known for its healthy and hygienic climate and can be visited during the whole year. For the snow lovers this place can be visited during December to January and greenery lovers can see the place from July to September.
There are no shops and big brands in Kausani for the luxury living people. There is a local market where handmade shawls can be purchased. It is also famous for its tea estates and one can buy it from local market too. There are only small hotels and restaurants in Kausani which offers Indian, Chinese, Continental and regional dishes of Kumaon to their guests.
Tourist Places In And Around Kausani
Apart from beautiful hills and mountains, the destination is also known for its ashrams, temples and tea estate. One of the popular ashrams here is the Anashakti Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed for a few days. It is now a study-cum-research centre, where lodging and kitchen facilities are also provided. Another renowned ashram is the Lakshmi Ashram, also known as the Sarla Ashram. The ashram was founded by a follower of Mahatma Gandhi, named Catherine Hillman, in 1948. The Pinnath Temple, the Shiva Temple, the Rudrahari Mahadev Temple, the Kot Bhramari Temple and the Baijnath Temple are some of the popular religious sites of Kausani.
The Pinnath Temple is devoted to the Hindu deity Bhairon and is located at a height of 2750 m above sea level. The Shiva Temple is located in the town of Someshwar, which is situated 11 km away from Kausani. This temple is devoted to the Hindu God Shiva and was constructed by King Som Chand, the founder of the Chand Dynasty. Besides, Kausani is also the birthplace of one of the renowned contemporary Hindi poets, Sumitra Nandan Pant. There is a museum dedicated to him, known as the Sumitra Nandan Pant Gallery. The museum contains manuscripts and drafts of his poems and other literary works as well as the awards he received. His birth anniversary is celebrated at the museum, and a conference is also organised every year in his honour.
Adventure enthusiasts visiting the destination can enjoy activities such as trekking and rock climbing. The place has some of the best Trekking routes in the country. Some of the popular ones are the Sunder Dhunga Trek, Pindari Glacier Trek and Milam Glacier Trek. The place is also known for the celebration of the Hindu festival known as 'Makar Sankranti', which is called ‘Uttarayani’ in the region.
How To Reach Kausani
Kausani is easily accessible by air, rail and road from different parts of the country. The closest air base to the destination is the Pantnagar Airport. It is well connected to other Indian cities by regular flights. The Kathgodam Railway Station is the nearest railhead to Kausani, which is well connected by trains to major Indian destinations including Howrah and Lucknow. The Kausani Bus Station is connected by public and private buses to various destinations.
Uttarakhand is replete with a vast array of scenic vacation spots as well as pilgrimage destinations. Apart from the popular travel destinations of Uttarakhand, there are a couple of lesser-known ones too. To know about the top hidden places of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand is a land of many marvels and amazing tourist destinations. While some like the Char Dhams, Mussoorie, and Nainital etc are very well known there are other destinations which few tourists know about. Here are the top 10 hidden gems of Uttarakhand that can capture your heart and mind with their exquisite beauty and rich heritage.