A misty morning with fog covering the long pine trees and the cold breeze caressing my face while I walked on a meandering empty street listening to the chirping of birds – that was Kausani for me. It may sound pretty much like another hill station in the Himalayas. But the tranquillity that prevails in the surroundings of Kausani separates it from other frequently visited places in Uttarakhand. You will feel detached and alone in the lap of nature. That is probably why Gandhiji chose Kausani to write his views on Anashakti Yoga – an extract from Bhagavad Gita on “non-attachment” to the materialistic life.
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About Kausani
Kausani is a hill station in Bageswar district in Uttarakhand. It has an average altitude of 1890 metres. This little hill town has become famous for the splendid panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks that stretch for a 300-kilometre-wide area. The Chaukhamba massif, the peaks of Trishul, Nandadevi, Nandaghunti and Panchachullis are visible at the horizon from Kausani.
For its scenic beauty, Gandhiji compared it with the landscapes of Switzerland. He stayed in Kausani for two weeks in 1929 and wrote a book on Anashakti Yoga. The place where he stayed for those two weeks is now called Anashakti Ashram, a museum now.
How to reach
Kausani is well connected with different towns of Uttarakhand like Nainital, Almora and Bageswar. The distance between Nainital to Kausani is 115km. Almora is 50 km, and Bageswar is 40 km from Kausani. Delhi is 435 km away from Kausani.
By road
Buses and shared cabs from Nainital, Almora and Bageswar will take you to Kausani. From Delhi, you will get buses to Nanital or Almora. From ISBT Kashmere Gate, buses to Nainital are available.
By train
The nearest railhead of Kausani is Kathgodam (KGM) which is 130 kilometres away. Direct cabs are not available from Kathgodam to Kausani, You have to break your journey and change cabs at Nainital or Almora. You can also book a taxi from Kathgodam station that will take you directly to Kausani.
By air
Pantnagar (PGH) is the nearest airport to Kausani. Flights to Pantnagar from different cities in India are available via Delhi or Dehradun. Delhi Airport (DEL) is 420 kilometres away from Kausani.
Where to stay
KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) has a tourist rest house in Kausani. The main advantage of staying in KMVN TRH is its impeccable location. You will get a stunning view of the Himalayas from the KMVN cottages.
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You can also stay beside Anasakti Ashram, inside the Ashram premises. The guest house has 24 rooms with optional self-cooking facilities too.
When to visit
The best time to visit Kausani is from March to May and October to November. During these months, the temperature is pleasant, and you will enjoy the weather in Kausani. On days the cloud and fog can be an issue for visibility, especially during late summer. Otherwise, spring, early summer and autumn are the best seasons to visit Kausani.
In winter, the weather is cold, with temperatures ranging between 150C to 20C. Kausani receives snowfall in late December and early January. January-February will be your best bet if you want to enjoy the clearest view of Himalayan peaks.
Things to see
Anasakti Ashram
Anasakti Ashram is the place in Kausani where Gandhiji stayed for 2 weeks in 1929. He wrote about Anasakti Yoga in this Ashram. The word “Anasakti” means non-attachment. Anasakti Ashram promotes the idea of non-attachment to materialistic possession and self-reliance. The Ashram has a simple lifestyle. Visitors staying in this Ashram are encouraged in simple living and to participate in daily rituals and activities.
The Ashram is also famous for its scenic surroundings and the majestic view of the Himalayan mountains for Ashram premises. The Ashram has a library, a prayer room and a museum that displays many photographs of Gandhiji and a charka at the centre.
Lakshmi Ashram
Lakshmi Ashram was established by Sarala Devi (Catherine Mary Heilman), a social activist and follower of Gandhiji. Catherine Mary Heilman came to India in 1932 from London to take part in the nationalist movement under Mahatma Gandhi.
Later due to sick health, she was instructed by Gandhiji to shift to a hill station and participate in social activities there. She founded this Ashram with the aim of educating local girls to become social activists so that they can uplift the socio-economic condition of their villages.
The ashram educates and empowers women, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It provides a home and education for girls and women and vocational training in areas such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and handicrafts.
The ashram is located in a scenic spot, surrounded by lush forests and offering panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. Visitors can stay at the ashram and participate in its activities, including yoga and meditation, farming, and community service.
Pant Museum
Sumitra Nandan Pant Museum is a museum dedicated to the life and works of Sumitra Nandan Pant, one of the most renowned Hindi poets of the 20th century. He was born in Kausani in 1900 and spent his childhood here. He became a prominent figure in Hindi literature and is best known for his epic poem “Kala Aur Gora” and his collection of poems “Pallav.”
The museum was established in Kausani in 1988 as a tribute to the poet. The museum houses a collection of the poet’s manuscripts, letters, photographs, and personal belongings. Visitors can also see a replica of Pant’s study, where he wrote many of his poems.
Tea Estates
The tea gardens in Kausani are situated at an altitude of around 1,800 meters above sea level and are spread over an area of about 208 hectares. The gardens are in the Himalayan foothills and offer a breathtaking view of the mountains.
The tea produced in Kausani is known for its unique flavour, aroma, and taste. It is grown using organic farming practices and is processed using traditional methods, which help to retain its natural flavour and aroma.
Visitors to Kausani can take a guided tour of the tea gardens, where they can learn about the cultivation and processing of tea. They can also sample some of the different tea varieties produced in the gardens and purchase tea directly from the factory.
Shawl Factories
Kausani is famous for its authentic Kumaoni Shawls. Several shawl factories in Kausani produce high-quality woollen shawls and hand-woven products. You can visit a shawl factory in Kausani and see how Kumaoni shawls are made. You can also buy a few shawls from their store or the Kumaon Shawl Emporium in Kausani.
Activities to do
Hiking
There are many walking trails through pine forests in Kausani. One can go for a walk on those trails to feel nature closely. The gentle breeze through the pine forest, the sound of chirping birds and the view of the Himalayan Peaks at the horizon make it a walk to remember.
You can also go for a day trek to Rudradhari Caves and Waterfall, which is 10 kilometres from Kausani. First, you must reach Kantali Village, located on Kausani-Almora Road, approximately 10 km from Kausani. From Kantali Village, you must trek 2 km to reach Rudradhari Caves.
The caves are believed to be ancient rock shelters that were once used by sages and ascetics for meditation and other spiritual practices. The Rudradhari waterfalls are also a sight to behold. They are located close to the caves and surrounded by lush green forests. A small cave temple is located near the waterfall where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshipped.
Stargazing
Kausani is a good place for stargazing. On a clear day, the star-studded view of the night sky is a treat to watch. Kausani also has a private observatory, the StarGate Observatory, where you can enjoy a guided night sky tour and see the celestial objects through an 8-inch computerized GoTo telescope.
Photography
The panoramic views of the Himalayas from Kausani are always a photographer’s delight. The quaint countryside, the Ashram life, the pine forest, and the hiking trails all are good places for a photography day out. Even the clear night sky is also ideal for astrophotography.
Shopping
Kausani is known for its handmade shawls, scarves, and other woollen items. The local shawl factories are a great place to buy these products. You can also buy local tea from Kausani. Different kinds of teas are available, like green tea, black tea and lemon tea.
Nearby Places to visit
Baijnath
Baijnath is a small town in the Bageswar district beside the Gomati River. Baijnath is famous for its ancient temples. Temples are dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, Chandrika, Kuber, Surya and Brahma.
Baijnath was once the capital of Katyuri kings, who ruled a vast area of Garhwal, Kumaon and a small part of present-day Nepal during the 12th and 13th centuries. And the temples in Baijnath were constructed by the Katyuri kings during this period.
All the temples are made of stone in the Nagara style. There are a total of 18 temples in this temple complex. The main temple is dedicated to Shiva or Baijanath. And the main attraction of the temple complex is the standing statue of Parvati chiselled in black stone.
There is a large pond in front of the temple complex, which is recently constructed by the state government. The Gomati River flows beside the temple complex.
Baijanath is 20 kilometres from Kausani on Kausani-Bageswar Road. The temple complex is 200 metres away from the car parking area.
Bageswar
Bageswar is a large town and district headquarters in the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand. It was once an important trade link in the Indo-Tibet trade route. The strategic location of Bageswar in a large valley surrounded by mountains, glaciers and rivers has helped it to flourish as a township since ancient times.
Today, the main attraction of Bageswar is the Bagnath Temple, a holy site for all the Hindus in the Kumaon region. Bagnath, or the “Tiger Lord”, is the epithet of Lord Shiva. It is said that when sage Markendeya worshipped Lord Shiva here, Lord Shiva blessed him by visiting in the form of a tiger.
The Bagnath Temple was erected in 1450AD by Laxmi Chand, a Chand Dynasty ruler who ruled Kumaon near the Almora region. This place has a cluster of temples, including Bairav temple, Dattatreya Maharaj, Ganga Mai temple, Hanuman temple, Durga temple, Kalika temple, Thingal Bhirav temple, Panchnam Junakhara and the Vaneshwar temple.
The distance between Kausani and Bageswar is 40 kilometres. Baijnath is 20 kilometres away from Bageswar.
Ranikhet
Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment area in Almora district in Uttarakhand. Ranikhet is famous for its beautiful green meadows. The view of the Himalayan peaks on a clear day from Ranikhet is also an attraction of this place.
According to a local legend, Ranikhet was the favourite place of Rani Padmini, the wife of Katyuri King Raja Sudhardev. She decided to build her residence here. Thus the name Ranikhet came. However, there is no palace today. Today’s Ranikhet is a cantonment town with headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment and the Naga Regiment of the Indian Army.
The Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum is a must-visit place in Ranikhet. It showcases the history of the Kumaon and Garhwal Regiments of the Indian Army. There are also displays of precious possessions like Rani Jhansi’s argent sceptre, Chinese rifles from the 1962 war, a World War II Japanese wireless acreage blast and abstracts accompanying the Kargil War. The vast collection of guns and ammunition also attracts visitors. The Ranikhet Golf Course and the nearby Kalka Temple and Jhula Devi Temple are also major attractions of Ranikhet.
The distance between Kausani and Ranikhet is 60 kilometres. Almora is 45 kilometres away from Ranikhet.
Someshwar
Someshwar is a small village on the banks of the Kosi River. The beauty of Someshwar is in its lush green valleys and terrace farmlands. The Someshwar Shiva Temple is located beside the river and witnesses many visitors during Shivaratri every year.
The hill station of Kausani is 12 kilometres from Someshwar. The view of the Someshwar Valley from Kausani is really beautiful.
Book your trip: Resources
- Flight
Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to book your flight.
- Accommodation
Tripadvisor and Agoda are perfect for booking your hotel. If you want to stay in a hostel, then Hostelworld would greatly help you find one at your convenience.
- Travel Insurance
World Nomads is perfect for travel insurance. You can get comprehensive protection from them. Let them take care of unexpected situations while you concentrate on your trip.
- Package Tour and Activities
You can book a package tour from G-Adventures and Viator. They are a reputed company arranging small group tours and customising them per your requirements. You can also use Get Your Guide to book your private transport, city tours, heritage walks, food walks and other experiences like a cooking lesson or a Yoga session.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. You will be directed to another third-party website when you click those links. If you purchase anything via those links, I will earn a referral bonus without any extra cost to you.
