Kausani is a celebrated site for its panoramic exquisiteness and views of enchanting Himalayas. Nature has bestowed Kausani with its beauty to make it a destination par-excellence level. Mahatma Gandhi was also driven by the beauteousness of Kausani. Originally known as Valna, Kausani is a famous hill resort in Uttarakhand providing an excellent view of the 350km stretch of the Himalayas on a clear sky. The peaks like
Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchachuli are distinctly visible from Kausani. The invigorating and captivating views of the majestic Himalayan peaks can be seen from Kausani. The view of the greater Himalayas from Kausani kindles hope even in the greatest pessimist with depressed feelings.
Kausani is an ideal place for honeymooners and it acts as a weekend destination.
The climate of Kausani is salubrious and it offers hygienic environment. Kausani can be visited any time of the year.
If you want to see the greenery of Uttarakhand then visit Kausani from July to Mid September. Kausani is covered with the sheets of snow from December to Mid February.
Mahatma Gandhi, during his stay at Kausani, penned his memorable commentary on the 'Gita-Anashakti Yoga' inspired by the scenic grandeur of this richly gifted spot. Mahatma Gandhi was so much impresses that he started calling it “Switzerland of India”.
The guesthouse where Mahatma Gandhi stayed is now known as the Anashakti Ashram. Famous Hindi poet Sumitra Nandan Pant was born at Kausani. Some of her early poems composed here have described the nature in its manifestations. Kausani is ideal spot for those who seek an escape from the hustle-bustle of big cities and wish to spend a quiet holiday in the lap of Nature. Kausani is located 47kms north of Almora inBageshwar district of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
By Air: The nearest airport for Kausani is Pantnagar. Pantnagar Airport is situated 162kms from Kausani. Taxis are available to Kausani, Haldwani, Nainital and Almora from Pant Nagar Airport. Buses are available from Haldwani, Kathgodam and Nainital to Kausani.
By Rail: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Kausani situated at a distance of 132kms. Kathgodam is well connected by Railway networks with major destinations of India like Lucknow, Delhi and Kolkata. Trains are frequent to Kathgodam as it is the gateway of Kumaon region. Buses and Taxis are easily available to Kausani from Kathgodam.
(1)Train Name : Utr Samprk K Ex(15035)
Departure :04:00 PM (Delhi)
Arrival10:40 PM(Kathgodam)
Duration :6h 40m
Running Days :All Days
(2) Train Name : Ranikhet Exp(15013)
Departure :10:40 PM(Delhi)
Arrival05:05 AM(Kathgodam)
Duration :6h 25m
Running Days :All Days
By Road: Kausani is well connected by motorable roads with major cities of northern India. Buses to Kathgodam and Almora can be taken from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi. Kausani is well connected with major towns of Kumaon region as well as Garhwal regions. Taxis to Kausani are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state. The distance from Delhi to Kausani is 410kms if you travel via Babugarh and Moradabad. This distance can be easily covered in 11 hours of time.
Kausani Excursions
Anasakti Ashram:It is also known as Gandhi Ashram. Anasakti Ashram was built to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi who visited this place in 1929 and described it as the 'Switzerland of India' after falling in love with its pristine beauty. It is here that he wrote his treatise Anasakti('detachment') Yoga. The ashram is well stocked with books and photographs of Gandhi's life. There is a small prayer room in this ashram where prayers are held every morning and evening.
Lakshmi Ashram:It is also known as Sarla Ashram. Catherine Hillman, a disciple of Gandhi who came to be known as Sarlaben founded this ashram in 1964 which overlooks the beautiful Kosi Valley. Several skills like growing vegetables, cooking, caring for the animals and cleaning are taught to over 70 orphaned poor girls and woman who live in the ashram. Lakshmi ashram is located in a quiet place up the hills which lends a serene atmosphere to the ashram.
Sumitranandan Pant Gallery:
The renowned hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant was born in Kausani. Sumitranandan Pant Gallery was built to commemorate Sumitranandan Pant. The gallery houses hundred of English and Hindi books in glass cabinets. A poetry symposium is organized here every year to mark the poet's birth anniversary.
Kausani Tea State: Kausani is also famous for its several tea gardens and pear orchards. Girias uttarakhand tea is produced in 208 hectares of tea planta¬tions
near Kausani. You can have somebody guide you through the factory showing you how tea is manufactured in the estate. This high-flavored tea is exported to Australia,
Germany, Korea and the US.
Anasakti Ashram: It is also known as Gandhi Ashram. Anasakti Ashram was built to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi who visited this place in 1929 and described it as the ‘Switzerland of India’ after falling in love with its pristine beauty. It is here that he wrote his treatise Anasakti (‘detachment’) Yoga. The ashram is well stocked with books and photographs of Gandhi’s life. There is a small prayer room in this ashram where prayers are held every morning and evening.
Lakshmi Ashram: It is also known as Sarla Ashram. Catherine Hillman, a disciple of Gandhi who came to be known as Sarlaben founded this ashram in 1964 which overlooks the beautiful Kosi Valley. Several skills like growing vegetables, cooking, caring for the animals and cleaning are taught to over 70 orphaned poor girls and woman who live in the ashram. Lakshmi ashram is located in a quiet place up the hills which lends a serene atmosphere to the ashram.
Sumitranandan Pant Gallery: The renowned hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant was born in Kausani. Sumitranandan Pant Gallery was built to commemorate Sumitranandan Pant. The gallery houses hundred of English and Hindi books in glass cabinets. A poetry symposium is organized here every year to mark the poet’s birth anniversary.
Shopping in Kausani: Buy warm hand knitted caps and shawls. On the Mall Road there are shops that sell quilts, bags, pullovers and gloves made by girls at the Sarla Ashram. Shopping in Kausani also includes many great eatables and different varieties of tea. Take home Girias uttarakhand Tea from the Anand and Sons store from right outside the tea factory or the Puran Singh tea store. You can also purchase delicious Kumaoni jams, pickles and chutneys. Woollens is what one can purchase mainly from here, particularly garments made from Angora Rabbit wool. These are extremely fine and refined wool. Garments made from these wool are very soft and warm to wear.
